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South Asia has high potential to be the fastest-growing exporting region

Jashim tells after taking charge as SAARC Chamber president


Published : 26 May 2023 09:23 PM

The president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Md. Jashim Uddin has taken charge as the president of the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), the apex trade body of the South Asian region.

While addressing after taking charge of the new position on Thursday, Md. Jashim Uddin said that South Asia with its diversified resources and skilled workforce has tremendous potential be the fastest-growing exporting region to the globe.

"As we begin this new tenure, our region is experiencing rapid economic growth, but we must also confront a range of complex issues and barriers to trade that limits cross-border regional trade," said Jashim.

He will be serving the SCCI as its president for the term 2023-24. The SAARC CCI arranged a colorful event at a city hotel in this regard, said a press release.

The Intra-trade among SAARC countries continues to be low ranging between 5-7% of total trade. In addition, this is declining every year. "On the other hand, we are seeing increased integration in other regional blocks,"

He said Intra-regional trade is over 40% in NAFTA, 68% in EU, 27% in ASEAN. Their economic integration is directly tied to their GDP per capita, higher productivity and, lower poverty and unemployment, he added.

The new SCCI president said that it is imperative for all to draw lessons from the successes achieved by other regional agreements, and channel their experiences of regional identity and solidarity into our efforts to propel SAARC towards new heights.

"It is our responsibility to find innovative and sustainable solutions to these challenges, and to work together to create a brighter future for the people of our region," he opined.

The priority will be given to enhance collaboration on sectors with high growth potential such as information technology, manufacturing, energy, tourism, and agribusiness that derive tangible results, the SCCI President added.

For inclusive economic growth in the SAARC region, SAARC CCI has the responsibility to identify the existing bilateral and multilateral tariff and non-tariff barriers, connectivity, and other challenges and recognition for his contributions to the business community and the economy of Bangladesh. 

President of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Irfan Iqbal Sheikh, Former President of SAARC CCI (Sri Lanka) Macky Hashim, Former President of SAARC CCI (Sri Lanka) Ruwan Ediringehe, Former Cabinet Minister of the Government of Maldives Mariyam Shakeela, Former President of SAARC CCI (Sri Lanka) Ruwan Ediringehe,

 Vice President of SAARC CCI (Nepal), and Past President of the Federation of Nepal Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FNCCI) Chandi Raj Dhakal, Vice President of India -Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industry (IBCCI)Sanjay Basu, Vice President of SAARC CCI (from Pakistan) Anjum Nisar,