KATHMANDU: SAARC has enormous potential to alter our region’s development landscape,” stated Hon’ble Prime Minister of Nepal, Mr. Pushpa Kamal Dahal during a call-on by SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry delegation led by President Md. Jashim Uddin in Kathmandu, Nepal.
During the two-day visit, the delegation also met Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nepal, Hon’ble Narayan Prakash Saud, and the Secretary General of SAARC, Md. Golam Sarwar followed by the celebrations of the 39th SAARC Charter Day and the 82nd Executive Committee Meeting of SAARC CCI.
The meeting with the Prime Minister of Nepal, Hon’ble Pushpa Kamal Dahal focused on the revitalization of the SAARC mechanism and the importance of strengthening regional cooperation despite the great difficulties and emerging challenges. He stated that to ensure South Asia’s progress towards development goals, all member states in SAARC should explore and work on the potentials and emerging opportunities. Hon’ble Prime Minister emphasized that as Nepal is the Chair of SAARC, the intervention of Nepal together with all SAARC member states would be significant in the revival of SAARC for the betterment of people in the region.
Mr. Chandi Raj Dhakal, Vice President, SAARC CCI (Nepal) and Mr. Shafquat Haider, Vice President SAARC CCI (Bangladesh) were part of the delegation from their respective countries.
During the meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nepal, Hon’ble Narayan Prakash Saud, he underscored the importance of effective multilateral cooperation among SAARC states. Md. Jashim Uddin, President SAARC CCI, highlighted the significance of governments’ support for the South Asian business community in achieving economic goals of the region.
Adding to the discourse, Mr. Chandi Raj Dhakal, Vice President, SAARC CCI (Nepal) and Mr. Shafquat Haider, Vice President SAARC CCI (Bangladesh) provided valuable insights into the pivotal role of South Asian states in advancing the vision of SAARC. Whereas, Dr. Mariyam Shakeela, President, MWCC, emphasized the need for collective efforts to achieve regional prosperity, urging the fostering of public-private partnerships.
Mr. Zulfiqar Butt, Secretary General SAARC CCI stressed the need to explore the untapped potentials in regional development, connectivity, and economic collaboration, highlighting SAARC CCI’s relentless commitment to the revival of SAARC.
On the occasion of 39th SAARC Charter Day, Md. Jashim Uddin, President SAARC CCI, and his delegation called on H.E. Md. Golam Sarwar, Secretary General of SAARC focusing on strengthening socioeconomic cooperation and economic integration in South Asia. President SAARC CCI, Md. Jashim Uddin, emphasized South Asia’s potential to become a robust economic bloc and urged a revival of cooperation among all South Asian nations.
H. E. Md. Golam Sarwar, Secretary General of SAARC, stated, ‘The SAARC Secretariat is fully committed to supporting the socioeconomic initiatives that will contribute to the collective achievement of sustainable development goals in South Asia.’ He further added that the SAARC Secretariat would expedite the process of taking necessary measures to organize the SAARC Committee Meetings, Ministerial Level Meetings, and the SAARC Summit in coordination with all SAARC member states.
The delegation also participated in a cake-cutting ceremony commemorating the 39th SAARC Charter Day, symbolizing the shared commitment to the development goals of the SAARC region.
In align with the meeting, the 82nd Executive Committee Meeting of SAARC CCI took place at the Yak & Yeti Hotel, Kathmandu, hosted by FNCCI. The meeting was attended by Executive Committee (EC) members and General Assembly (GA) members from Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The members of SAARC Young Entrepreneurs’ Forum from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka also took part in the meeting.
During the meeting, the EC and GA members reviewed the previous year’s activities, discussed upcoming events and initiatives in 2024, addressed the recognition matter of SAARC apex and allied bodies, approved the nominations for the SAARC CCI Councils and Committees, reviewed the annual plan and budget, approved audited accounts, and provided updates on the SAARC CCI headquarters building project and life memberships. Mr. Zubair Ahmad Malik, Vice Chair of the SAARC CCI Headquarters Building Committee and the EC Member SAARC CCI (Pakistan) stressed on financial aspects involved in completing the headquarters project.
The delegation from Pakistan comprised of Ms. Hina Mansab Khan, Chairperson, SCWEC, Mr. Safdar Zaman, Executive Member (Pakistan), and Mr. Zulfiqar Butt, Secretary General, and Mr. Bader Munir, Director, SAARC CCI. Similarly, the delegates from South Asia who attended the meetings were Mr. Shafquat Haider, Vice President, SAARC CCI (Bangladesh), Mr. Desh Bandhu Basnet (Ajit) Executive Committee Member, FNCCI, Ms. Jyotsna Shrestha, Executive Committee Member, SAARC CCI (Nepal), Dr. Mariyam Shakeela, President, WCCI Maldives, Ms. Shaira Saleem, Vice Chairperson, SCWEC (Maldives), Mr. Bandula Egodage, Executive Committee Member, SCCI (Sri Lanka), Mr. Wansapriyya Gunaseela, General Assembly Member, SAARC CCI (Sri Lanka) and Mr. Tilan Wijesooriya, Associate Director, SAARC CCI.
In conclusion, the two-day program in Nepal undertaken by the SAARC CCI delegation from South Asian countries reflected a steadfast commitment for regional cooperation and socioeconomic growth while highlighting the pivotal role of SAARC CCI in achieving common goals of South Asia.
