Friday Jun 12, 2026
Friday Jun 12, 2026
Friday, 12 June 2026 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
SAARC CCI President Chandi Raj Dhakal (left) with Yunnan Province Governor Wang Yubo
SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SAARC CCI) President Chandi Raj Dhakal met Yunnan Province Governor Wang Yubo in Kunming, China, to discuss expanding trade, investment and connectivity links between South Asia and the strategically important Chinese province.
The discussions took place on the sidelines of a high-level reception hosted by the Government of Yunnan Province for senior political leaders, diplomats and business representatives from South Asia and other regions.
Among the dignitaries attending the event were Laos Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Santiphab Phomvihane, Nepal National Assembly Chairperson Lila Kumari Bhandari, Sri Lanka Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe, Maldives State Minister of Economic Development and Trade Ismail Rifau, Laos Vice Minister of Industry and Commerce Manothong Vongsay, Myanmar Deputy Commerce Minister Minn Minn and Sri Lanka Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra.
During discussions with Governor Wang, Dhakal emphasised the importance of strengthening economic engagement between South Asian economies and Yunnan Province, highlighting opportunities in regional connectivity, trade facilitation, investment promotion, tourism, logistics, digital transformation and people-to-people exchanges.
He noted that SAARC CCI, as the apex regional private-sector organisation in South Asia, remained committed to fostering stronger commercial ties between the region and China, particularly through Yunnan, which serves as a key gateway linking China with South and Southeast Asia.
The discussions also explored opportunities to deepen business partnerships, promote joint ventures and facilitate cross-border trade and investment across sectors including infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturing, renewable energy, tourism and emerging digital industries.
Dhakal expressed appreciation to the Yunnan Provincial Government for hosting the event and providing a platform for dialogue among policymakers, diplomats and business leaders from across the region.
Governor Wang welcomed greater engagement with South Asian countries and reiterated Yunnan Province’s readiness to expand cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity and cultural exchanges.
The meeting underscored growing efforts to strengthen economic linkages between South Asia and China amid increasing regional focus on trade connectivity, investment flows and sustainable economic development.
