Karachi
A delegation of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) under the leadership of its President Engr. Daroo Khan Achakzai left for Colombo, Sri Lanka on Friday to attend 78th SAARC Chamber Commerce and Industry’s Executive Committee meeting and sideline activities including Regional Trade Conference and SAARC Women Business Leadership Summit.
During the meeting, the President FPCCI will discuss current situation of regional trade and also highlight trade bottleneck among SAARC countries. Apart from Pakistan, SAARC-CCI events will be attended by Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka etc.
In a press statement, the President FPCCI stated that SAARC region being the world’s most vibrant area in terms of demographic dividend, diversity, culturally and historical ties, is one of the least integrated areas in the world.
SAARC region established in 1985 comprises 1.8 billion people with GDP US$ 3.5 trillion and 40% poverty. Almost more than 55% of intra-SAARC imports remain subject to tariff, para-tariff and non-tariff barriers despite enactment of SAFTA (a free trade agreement) which is the reason that intra-regional trade still stood at 5%.
SAARC Women Business Leadership Summit will also be held to be followed by seminar, B2B and exhibitions. This year, SAARC Chamber Women Entrepreneur Council (SCWEC) chair will be handed over to Afghanistan from Sri Lanka. Zubia Zubair, Hina Mansab, Lala Rukh and Saba William from Pakistan will participate in Summit from Pakistan.—INP
