ISLAMABAD: South Asi­an Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) Cha­mber of Commerce and Indu­stry (CCI) is set to host its sixth Business Leaders Con­clave (BLC) in Kath­mandu, Nepal from March 16-18.

The event will be organised in collaboration with Fed­eration of Nepalese Cha­mbers of Commerce and Industry, Friedrich Naumann Foundation and the Government of Nepal.

The theme of the event will be ‘Unleashing Shared Prosperity through Economic Integration’ and will host business delegates, governments and ministers from all member states.

The CCI has been facilitating and promoting trade, service, industry, small and medium enterprise and agriculture in the region through creating strong business linkages among South Asian entrepreneurs.

The chamber aims to provide a platform to the leading politicians, opinion makers, prominent academicians, industry players and celebrated figures to discuss and deliberate upon contemporary and emerging issues faced by the region and envision a strategic framework in the form of policy recommendations for Saarc.

It is likely to be inaugurated by the Nepalese Prime Minister, followed by a ministerial round, technical sessions, and musical evenings aimed to promote cultural connectivity in the region. The conference will witness a gathering of 500-750 private sector representatives of South Asia.

Modelling it as the Davos of South Asia, Saarc BLC is the most prestigious private sector initiative in the region and is supported by all the national CCIs of the member states.

Published in Dawn, February 3rd, 2018