7th SAARC Business Leaders Conclave (SBLC)

SAARC Business Leaders Conclave

SBLC Introduction
The idea of convening SAARC Business Leaders Conclave was put-forth by Mr. Mackey Hashim, former President of the SAARC Chamber of Commerce & Industry and his team in the year 2004, which was materialized on November 17-18, 2005 when the First SBLC was organized in New Delhi, India. Attracted by more than 250 participants and 100 from India, the first SBLC emerged as the most prestigious event of the SAARC CCI and DAVOS of South Asian Community. The first SBLC was organized by SAARC Chamber of Commerce & Industry in Collaboration with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI). Dr. Manmohan Singh, Hon’ ble Prime Minister of India grace the occasion with his presence and inaugurated the conference.

Second SBLC:
The second SBLC was inaugurated by Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, Hon’ble External Affairs Minister of India. The 2nd SBLC was again hosted by FICCI at Mumbai on February 18, 2007. The event received 300 participants from the region and turned pout to be a successful forum in brining business house closer together.

Third SBLC:
The third SBLC was co-hosted by the Federation of Sri Lankan Chambers of Commerce & Industry on November 21-22, 2009 at Colombo Sri Lanka and was inaugurated by Mr. Ratnasri Wikramanayaka, Hon’ble Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. This was so far the most successful event in terms of quality of contents and outcome. More than 400 participants from the region, UAE and China participate in the event.

Fourth SBLC:
The 4th SBLC was co-hosted by the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce & Industry on 20-22nd September 2011, at Kathmandu, Nepal and was inaugurated by H.E Dr. Ram Baran Yadav, President of Nepal. The conclave was organized under the Peace and Prosperity through Regional Connectivity focusing on the topic of immediate concern. The event was another breakthrough in the series of SAARC Business Leaders Conclaves, wherein around 600-800 hundred people’s remains till the conclusion of conclave.

Fifth SBLC:
SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SAARC CCI) organised 5th SAARC Business Leaders Conclave with its theme “South Asian Century: Progressing towards Regional Integration” in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry and National Federations/ Chambers of SAARC member nations, In partnership with Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) & The World Bank Group - as the knowledge Partner on 16-17th Jan 2014, in New Delhi, India.

The Conclave aims at providing policy recommendations for the SAARC Summit scheduled in Nepal for promotion of economic activities in SAARC to policy makers at the highest level.

The Conclave witnessed the congregation of large business delegations from Afghanistan Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Over 500 leading business leaders and eminent International experts, Academia, Media and social scientists from across the region deliberated for two days on various pertinent issues of regional economic cooperation.

The Conclave was inaugurated by Mr Anand Sharma, Hon’ble Minister of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. The Conclave was addressed by H E Mozammel Shinwari, Deputy Minister of Commerce and Industry, Afghanistan, H E Tofail Ahmed , Minister, Ministry of Commerce, Bangladesh, H.E. Norbu Wangchuk, Minister of Economic Affairs, Bhutan, H.E. Mohamed Saeed, Minister for Economic Development, Maldives, H.E Shanker Prasad Koirala, Minister for Commerce and Supplies, Nepal, H. E Engr. Khurram Dastgir Khan, Minister for State for Commerce and Textile, Pakistan, H.E. Abdul Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce, Sri Lanka and H.E. Mr Ahmed Saleem, Secretary General, SAARC

Senior officials from Member States addressed the contemporary and emerging issues like repositioning of South Asia in Asian Century, regional integration, Energy, water and Climate Change, Trade Facilitation, trade and investment etc’. The Conclave organized specials sessions on Young Entrepreneurs in South Asia, while recommending the Governments of South Asia to provide business enabling environment to foster the process of regional integration.