The SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), the apex trade body of the South Asian Regional Cooperation Organization (SAARC) member countries, is giving the utmost importance to information technology. Md. Jasim Uddin, President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) conveyed the matter after taking charge as the President of SCCI for the tenure of 2023-24. 

As the third Bangladeshi, Mr. Jasim took charge. The e-CAB President Shomi Kaiser has been added to the SCCI Executive Committee as the only woman member to implement the intention of smart economy sustainability.

Earlier, FBCCI Director and Bagerhat Chamber President Hasina Newaz became the women representative from Bangladesh. On the other hand, Salman F Rahman and Anisul Haque, former presidents of FBCI, served as Presidents of SCCI from Bangladesh.    

After taking charge, the new committee held a meeting under the leadership of the newly appointed SAARC Chamber President Md. Jasim Uddin. After the meeting, SAARC Chamber Member and e-CAB President Shomi Kaiser said that she expressed interest in working on e-tourism, cottage industries, and startups, and linking IT and e-commerce in regional economic alliances.   

Shafkat Haider, another member of the executive committee from Bangladesh, is also a member of e-CAB in the new committee with an emphasis on e-commerce in the coming days. SAARC Chamber President Md. Jasim Uddin has expressed the intent to consolidate Bangladesh’s position in the South Asian economy with the other two members of Bangladesh to give priority to potential sectors such as information and communication technology, production-oriented industries, energy, tourism, and agriculture.

Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) President Erfan Ali Sheikh formally conveyed this responsibility to Md. Jamis Uddin on behalf of Pakistan’s outgoing President Iftikhar Ali Malik at a hotel in the capital on Thursday (May 25).

The Foreign Minister Abul Kalam Abdul Momen was the chief guest on the occasion of handing-taking. Jasim Uddin said, ‘We must have concerted efforts to take SAARC to new heights by learning from the success of other regional agreements. Innovative and sustainable solutions must be found to meet the existing challenges. It is our responsibility to work together to create a brighter future for the people of this region. Priority should be given to potential sectors such as information and communication technology, manufacturing industries, energy, tourism, and agriculture.

The former President of SAARC CCI (Sri Lanka) Miki Hashim, Ruan Ediringe, Vice President of SAARC CCI (Pakistan) Anjum Nisar, Former Minister of Maldives Maryam Shakila, Vice President of SAARC CCI (Nepal) and Nepal Chamber of Commerce and Chandi Raj Dhakal, former president of FNCCI, Sanjay Basu, vice president of India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IBCCI), Janaka Siddiqui, member of Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, FBCCI vice president, directors and business leaders of Bangladesh and SAARC countries were present. At the event, it was informed that the next meeting of the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry will be held in Nepal.


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