The SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SAARC CCI) is hosting the event in collaboration with the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI). [break]
The event aims at creating synergies for regional integration and cooperation through effective networking of business community. The SBLC is expected to be participated by more than 400 visitors, including business persons, representatives of governments, academia and development partners, among others from SAARC countries.
Pradeep Kumar Shrestha, former president of FNCCI, said the event will be the historical business event in Nepal. "Though the event was scheduled to be held in Bangladesh, we requested the SAARC CCI to let FNCCI organize the program in Nepal," Shrestha said, adding that the event will also help promote Nepal Tourism Year 2011 campaign.
The third SBLC was held at Colombo in 2009.
Shrestha said the conclave will focus on varieties of topics, including emerging priority concerns for South Asia, water, energy, climate change and food security and regional economic integration.
Discussions on issues like tourism and cultural exchange, prospects of trade and investment and youth leadership development will also be held at the sidelines of the event.
“At a time when negative message about Nepal´s industrial climate is begin disseminated, I hope that the conclave will help disseminate positive message," Suraj Vaidya, president of FNCCI, said.
He said that the SBLC will be a forum for both local and foreign investors to identiy sectors capable of attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and discuss problems faced by foreign investors in Nepal.
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