|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 11 January 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
FCCISL plans to expand cooperation among SAARC countries The Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL), the primary member of the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) in Sri Lanka, is expanding the membership of its SAARC CEOs' Forum and enhancing the level of cooperation, networking and interaction with the chief executive officers of other SAARC countries. FCCISL SAARC CEOs' Forum, formed in 1997, has the broad objective of harnessing the tremendous potential of trade and investment that exist among SAARC countries on a business-to-business level focusing towards business prospects with SAARC countries, the Federation said in a news release. The objectives of the forum are facilitating establishment of contacts with businesses in SAARC countries, providing opportunities for interaction and networking with businesses in SAARC countries by way of participation in trade fairs, trade delegations, buyer-seller meets and trade and investment promotion fora. The online business portal of the SAARC Chamber also plays a facilitating role in business-to-business contact development within the Chamber. The Forum will facilitate the formation of joint ventures and subcontracting partnerships among businesses in SAARC countries. It will also be supported by the Sri Lanka Subcontracting and Partnership Exchange (SPX) and UNIDO through its network in the South Asian region and 30 other countries. With the strong commitment of SAARC Heads of State to move towards a Free Trade Area by 2006 and work towards better economic cooperation in the region, FCCISL strongly believes that the CEOs' Forum would play a catalytic role in creating greater partnerships and networking at industry level which is mandated by the recently concluded 12th SAARC Summit. In this regard, FCCISL will take a 15-member delegation along with Board of Investment officials to South India soon for a buyer-seller meet and an investment promotion mission. The event is co-organised by TANSIA and FNSt of South India, the release stated. The eighth Sri Lanka-India Joint Business Council will also take place in India in early March. A large number of local CEOs seeking business expansion opportunities in India have already registered with the FCCISL for this event. The Federation will also host the sixth SAARC Trade Fair this year. It has already appointed the organising committee and is closely working with the Foreign Ministry and the Commerce and Consumer Affairs Ministry and other relevant State agencies. The formal launch of the fair will be held in Colombo in March. "FCCISL remains committed to SAARC economic cooperation especially with the Presidency of the SAARC Chamber being handed over to Macky Hashim, Immediate Past President of FCCISL. He is the first Sri Lankan to head this regional body of which he is a founder member," the FCCISL said. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
