Forum to promote trade ties between SA and Europe

The South Asia Trade and Investment Forum was held in London, UK recently. The forum, which is the first of its kind outside the South Asian region was jointly organised by the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and the Commonwealth Business Council (CBC).

The forum was attended by leading government officials and businessmen from the South Asian region and Europe. The objective of the forum was to bring together the business and government leaders from South Asia to create and expand business and investment opportunities and to build relations between South Asia and Europe, which has become as important as ever for creating a new stage of dynamic development.

Minister of Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion, Rohitha Bogollagama said to strengthen the economic structure of the South Asian countries, the role of governments can hardly be discounted as it facilitates trade and setting up of businesses."

SCCI President, Dasho Ugen Tsechup Dorji in his welcome address said that "Economic investment is too often focused in China and Japan. Such investments in Asia should not stop at the South China Sea.

It's time Europe starts engaging herself increasingly with South Asia". Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, UK, Gareth Thomas who inaugurated the event said "South Asian countries are not only being considered as prospective markets but also as potential areas for investment".

Minister of State for Commerce of Pakistan, Hamid Yar Hiraj, Prof. Lakshman Watawala, Chairman, Sri Lankan Board of Investment, Nawaz Rajabdeen, President, Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka and Keith Samuel, Director General Manager, Ceylinco Micro Technologies also spoke.