Chaudhary calls for increased regional cooperation at CFB 2013

Monday, 18 November 2013 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Commonwealth Business Forum is a premier business event taking place in conjunction with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2013 in Colombo. It is an opportunity that brings together heads of government, ministers and top business leaders from all commonwealth countries in an effort to share views and opinions, insights and experiences and to gain an understanding and awareness into the business environment in each of the Commonwealth countries. Speaking on the inaugural day’s session on ‘The Commonwealth, Indian Ocean, Pacific at SAARC: Building New Partnerships,’ Binod K. Chaudhary, Chairman, Chaudhary Group Nepal, was able to share some perceptive thoughts on South Asia’s position and stature in the International Business arena. Rise of Asia Chaudhary eloquently spelt out the need for a wider cooperative understanding between nations, especially those in the South Asian region. He spoke of the rise of Asia in this era and the necessity to put the negatives of each culture and its unique thought process behind us and instead focus on the positive imagery that can be projected and harnessing the advantageous benefits and resources of a well educated younger generation in order to gain strong footholds in the economical and business field. “South Asians have already made a name for themselves internationally in many spheres including medicine, engineering, IT and so on. This is something to be proud of. Sri Lanka’s ability to rise above the shackles of an internal civil war and to have come thus far in terms of infrastructure and economic development under the leadership and guidance President Mahinda Rajapaksa,” said Chaudhary. Cooperation the focal point Reiterating that cooperation was the focal point towards overall development Chaudhary stated: “The idea of building partnerships, promoting regional cooperation in South Asia and the necessity for closer interaction among other regions and regional organisations, is a long-felt need. In order to build strong partnerships and promote regional cooperation in South Asia, it is imperative that we foster closer interaction among other regions. “Our region’s geographic location is in the centre of the Middle East, Central Asia, the Pacific and South East Asia. India and China – the two emerging economic powerhouses of the contemporary world – are among us; we have to be outward looking, business-friendly, with the zeal to build our region to become a natural hub of world class logistics and infrastructure. “The real need of the state is to forge a real and honest partnership with the private sector and bureaucracy. The mindset of decision makers has to change to support and facilitate business and enterprise creation from an income earning mentality. There is a dire need for policy reforms, improvement in the investment climate and increased integration towards South East Asia with whom we have age-old relations. Continued integration of these economies will benefit our workers and businesses in all our nations.”