Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung urges SCCI to reflect on Costs of Non-Cooperation...

SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) is a regional partner of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, is working on liberal ideas to realise open and free markets in the South Asian region. Both the organizations are working together to achieve their common objectives for instance to alleviate poverty through trade facilitation.

Kicking off the seminar, the President of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the joint organizer and the Indian constituent member of SCCI, Mr. Saroj Poddar, outlined the freedom to trade as one of the important challenges facing the private sector of the region today. He gave his vision of a South Asia where investments could be made without borders and the region was governed by open skies and open seas policy.

In his first public appearance after taking over the Presidency of SCCI, Dasho Ugen Tsechup Dorji from Bhutan, noted that the SAARC region had the potential to be a strong economic force. South Asia was a major global player in the global economy with 1.5 billion people. SCCI, he said, is committed to increase trade and improve the lives of the people of South Asia. The Confidence Building Measures (CBM) between the two big members of South Asia namely India and Pakistan were beneficial to all. The Free Trade Area (FTA) between India and Sri Lanka has set an example and can be emulated by all South Asian countries at a multi-lateral level.

Mr. Jairam Ramesh (white shirt), Miniter of Commerce, India, 4 Ambassadors, FICCI & SCCI Presidents, Minister for Trade, Maldives, representatives of World Bank and FNSt

SCCI has played a pivotal role in strengthening the economic growth of the region, and its role in moving from South Asian Preferential Trade Arrangement (SAPTA) to South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) was a commendable achievement. SAFTA is being considered as a stepping stone to the South Asian Economic Union.

The Programme was attended by Union Minister for Commerce, Mr. Jairam Ramesh from India, and the Minister for Economic Development and Trade from Maldives, Mr. Mohammed Jaleel. In addition to the political representation from the two countries, High Commissioners from Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka also attended the programme and gave their inputs.

Subodh Kumar