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Trade Facilitation: Issues and Constraints in South Asia

FNF- Partner Delegation meets the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka

Dr. René Klaff, Regional Director, FNF South Asia, and a high-ranking delegation of the Foundation's partner organization SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) met with the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Hon’ble Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, who was invited to inaugurate the upcoming 3rd SAARC Business Leaders' Conclave later this year in Colombo. Tariq Sayyed, President of SCCI, informed the Prime Minister about the achievements and further goals of the South Asian Businessmen and -women regarding enhanced regional economic integration. Dr. Klaff briefed on the Friedrich Naumann Foundation and its activities in promoting liberal policies especially here in South Asia.

The meeting was followed by a seminar on Trade Facilitation: Issues and Constraints in South Asia, organized by SCCI together with the local host Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Sri Lanka. The seminar discussed the obstacles to free trade in the region and their possible solutions.

Inaugurating the seminar, Prof. G.L. Peiris, Minister for International Trade and Export Development noted Terrorism, Food Security and Energy Security as three major challenges for improved multilateral relationsin the region. These could be overcome by pooling of resources from all member countries.

In his keynote address, the President, SCCI, Tariq Sayeed addressed the lack of political commitment and trade barriers as key impediments to the rapid growth of the South Asian region.

Underlining the liberal principles, Dr. Klaff highlighted free trade as an essential component of free societies.” It is only through the system of market economy the dynamics of the people, their innovative strength and their capabilities to realize better living conditions for all could be achieved”, he said

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