February 08, 2008	Friday	Muharram 29, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Feb 7: Pakistan will host the third Saarc Business Leaders Conclave (SBLC) in November next aiming at increasing the intra-regional trade, said President Saarc Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Tariq Sayeed.

“I whole heartedly request all envoys to convince the business leaders of their respective countries to share their experience at this mega event of the Saarc chamber,” he said while addressing diplomats of South Asia, United States and some other countries.

After successful ventures in 2006 (Mumbai) and in 2007 (New Delhi) Mr Sayeed said he was confident that the participation of business leaders across and beyond the region will help in forging new alliances and enlarge the canvas of business activities of the Saarc.

He said the national chambers of Saarc member states were in the process of formulating an action plan on the specific themes such as trade facilitation and tariffs, tourism, infrastructure and agriculture, which will provide a roadmap for future activities of the Saarc chamber.

He said the year 2008 was extremely significant for Saarc chamber in many respects as it has entered into 15th year of its establishment. And it has completed the first presidential cycle amongst the Saarc countries, providing equal opportunity to all seven nations to assume the office of president of SCCI.

He said that in the next two years, he would strive for the elevation of the SCCI at par with leading regional arrangements like Nafta, EU, Asean and Comesa.