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Thursday Apr 25, 2024
Tuesday, 29 October 2019 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The 78th Executive Committee Meeting of SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SAARC CCI) was successfully concluded in an effective manner in Colombo, Sri Lanka, hosted by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) in Galadari Hotel.
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SAARC CCI and FCCISL President Ruwan Edirisinghe addressing the gathering at SAARC CCI Conference of Regional Economic Integration: A Catalyst for A Catalyst for Socioeconomic Prosperity of
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Chief Guest Economic Reforms and Public Distribution Minister Dr. Harsha de Silva addressing the gathering at the SAARC CCI Conference on Regional Economic Integration |
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SAARC CCI (Sri Lanka) VP Dr. Rohitha Silva speaking at the 78th EC Meeting |
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Chief Guest State Minister of Petroleum Resources Development Dr. Anoma Gamage addressing the gathering at the SAARC Women Business Leaders’ Summit
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Several important meetings of SAARC CCI were also held on the side-line of the Executive Meeting. The SAARC CCI conference on ‘Regional Economic Integration: A Catalyst for Socioeconomic Prosperity of South Asia’, SAARC Women Business Leaders’ Summit titled ‘Inform to Reform: Opportunities for Women in South Asia’, 78th Executive Committee Meeting, and Council Meetings did mark yet another successful story in the history of SAARC CCI.
Held from 18 to 19 October, the events were organised by the SAARC CCI in partnership with the FCCISL.
The SAARC CCI is the apex business organisation of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) dedicated to promote regional economic integration through creating strong business linkages among the entrepreneurs in the region being the bridge between policymakers and business community in South Asia.
SAARC CCI President Ruwan Edirisinghe chaired the 78th Executive Committee (EC) Meeting which was attended by many EC and General Assembly (GA) members from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
SAARC CCI Senior Vice President Iftikhar Ali Malik, SAARC CCI (Nepal) Vice President Chandi Raj Dhakal, SAARC CCI (Sri Lanka) Vice President Dr. Rohitha De Silva and SAARC CCI (Afghanistan) Vice President Khairuddin Mayel led the delegations of EC members and businessmen from their respective countries at the meeting. From the SAARC CCI Secretariat, SAARC CCI Secretary General Hina Saeed and Deputy Secretary General Zulfiqar Butt participated at the meeting.
At the 78th EC Meeting, Ruwan Edirisinghe elaborated on the SAARC CCI Vision 2018-2019, initiatives and the upcoming events of SAARC CCI. The house approved that the 79th EC Meeting would be held in Maldives in January 2020.
Furthermore, it was decided to organise a SAARC CCI Investment Forum and Trade Fair in Kathmandu, Nepal in November. He also invited the members to take part in the China – South Asia Business Council Meeting scheduled to be held in November in Sri Lanka.
Along with the SAARC CCI 78th EC Meeting, The SAARC CCI conference on ‘Regional Economic Integration: A Catalyst for Socioeconomic Prosperity of South Asia’ and SAARC Women Business Leaders’ Summit titled ‘Inform to Reform: Opportunities for Women in South Asia’ were organised as side events on 18 October in collaboration with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF).
Economic Reforms and Public Distribution Minister Dr. Harsha de Silva was the Chief Guest at the SAARC CCI conference on regional economic integration. In addition, Ambassador of Afghanistan to Sri Lanka Mohammed Ashraf Haidari, Bangladesh to Sri Lanka High Commissioner Mohammad Riaz Hamidullah, Ambassador of Maldives to Sri Lanka Omar Abdul Razzak, Pakistan to Sri Lanka Acting High Commissioner Tanvir Ahmad Bhatti, UNDP Sri Lanka Resident Representative Robert Juhkam, Bakhtar University Afghanistan Vice Chancellor Prof. Abdul Wassay Haqiqi, Government officials, representatives of international organisations, presidents of National Chambers of Commerce in SAARC region, and vice presidents of SAARC CCI were the invited guests and speakers at the conference.
Addressing the SAARC CCI conference on regional economic integration, Dr. Harsha de Silva mentioned that the global reality is not the protectionism but the economic integration and open economic systems.
He emphasised that due to extreme protectionism and political issues in South Asia, the region is struggling in terms of economic integration and intraregional trade. He suggested that it is pragmatic to focus on a model which creates a network of sub regional economic integrations within South Asia rather than unrealistically focusing on integration in the entire region.
Ruwan Edirisinghe, at the conference, stated that he took up the challenge of organising all the events in a short period of 10 days and it was a success story at end. He emphasised that despite South Asian countries are in general supportive of foreign direct investments and liberal economic systems, the economic integration and socioeconomic development in the region are lagging behind. He added that like the parents of current generation learnt in schools that South Asian countries were developing nations, the present generation still learns the same. Therefore, he questioned whether the present generation is going to perpetuate the same developing country stories for generations to come. He emphasised that the children and grandchildren of the current generation should learn in schools that now their region is developed and reached the highest levels of socioeconomic advancements.
Therefore, he articulated that the present business leaders of SAARC have a major role to play in enhancing socioeconomic integration and sustainable development in South Asia filled with numerous untapped resources, educated young workforce and innovative opportunities.
He urged the business community in SAARC to stop focusing on unnecessary politics based on narrow-minded individual agendas, instead the business community should influence the governments to facilitate the private sector to accelerate economic integration and achieve sustainable development in the region.
Subsequent to the SAAR CCI conference on regional economic integration, the SAARC Women Business Leaders’ Summit was held under the theme ‘Inform to Reform: Opportunities for Women in South Asia’. State Minister of Petroleum Resources Development Dr. Anoma Gamage was the Chief Guest.
In addition, Mohammed Ashraf Haidari, SCWEC Outgoing Chairperson Rifa Mustapha, Incoming Chairperson Afsana Rahimi, Vice Chairs of SAARC Chamber Women Entrepreneurs Council (SCWEC), government officials, representatives of international organisations, presidents of National Chambers of Commerce in SAARC region, vice presidents of SAARC CCI, and business leaders in South Asia attended the event.
During the SAARC Women Business Leaders’ Summit, the Chairpersonship of SCWEC was officially handed over to the Incoming Chairperson Afsana Rahimi from Afghanistan by Ruwan Edirisinghe and Outgoing Chairperson Rifa Mustapha from Sri Lanka.
Dr. Anoma Gamage, addressing the gathering, stressed upon the importance of participation of women in development sector and their contribution towards the socioeconomic activities, income generation and trade integration and how to further ensure their involvement in entrepreneurship.
The meetings were followed by a networking dinner and all the events of SAARC CCI were concluded in a productive manner in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
