During the Presidency of Mr Annisul Huq (2010-2011), the SAARC Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SAARC CCI) remained active and witnessed tremendous achievements in some targeted areas.
The SAARC CCI, under the Memorandum of Co-operation with Friedrich Naumann Foundation: Fur Die Freiheit, organised 29 activities during the period under review, including seminars, conferences and 6 Executive Committee Meetings in various member countries, as compared with 28 actives organised in the previous term ie 2008-2009. The major areas under focus were regional integration, Trade facilitation, Tourism promotion, socio-cultural exchanges, Media, Women entrepreneurs and Youth development during the term under review.
In addition to the customary activities, the President SAARC CCI represented the organization on regional and International Forums including meetings/ conferences organised by various International organisations like World Chambers Federation, CSABF, KOTRA, SAWTEE, FES, and visited Malaysia and France in addition to visit of South Asian countries including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal. He also had the privilege to interact and meet the Prime Minister/ President of Nepal and Sri Lanka and many Government officials in South Asia countries. His participation in various events has helped in institutional linkages and promotion of SAARC Chamber of Commerce & Industry in more profound manner.
Particular attention was given on publication of post-event reports. About 20 brief reports and one research report on Investment was published during the term 2010-2011 as compared with only 8 reports published in the previous term. These reports helped providing input to SAARC Secretariat and it is matter of pride for SAARC CCI that six of its proposals were included in the declaration of 17th SAARC Summit held in Maldives. Because of its input on policy issues, H.E. the current Secretary General SAARC appreciated the role of SAARC Chamber during her video conference on 4th SAARC Economic Summit held in Dhaka in October 2011 towards promoting regional co-operation.
It was the first time in the history of SAARC CCI, a response paper to 16th SAARC summit was presented to SAARC Secretariat in Kathmandu, which was acknowledged with thanks by SAARC Secretariat with remarks that it would help in developing a road map.
The SAARC CCI also formed the core academic group comprising renowned economists from the region to prepare policy papers. Realising the importance of information technology, the website of SAARC CCI has been professionally upgraded where important information is regularly placed and upgraded The official website of SAARC CCI now provides plentiful interesting information and linkages with our partner agencies. Further development work is in progress.
An important development was made in respect of amendment in SAARC CCI Constitution; which has many contradictory clauses. The Constitution now provides more clarity and will help in smoothing the affairs.
The under reviewed tenure (2010-2011) was the most successful in the history of SAARC CCI during which 266 businessmen were registered as the Life members against 191 registered in the previous term. During the term 2010-2011, membership from Pakistan were accounted for 168 followed by Bangladesh 77 and India 21 while Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives could not generate membership. The success is attributed to the President, Chairman Finance/Accounts Committee and Vice President, Pakistan Chapter and Bangladesh for this marvellous improvement in membership.
It is pertinent to mention here that during the last four years, the campaign for Life Membership has been remarkably successful. During the first 13 years of the establishment of SAARC CCI ie by January 2008, the registered members of SAARC CCI were only 210, which now have increased to 691 (300 times increase in last four years) including 438 from Pakistan followed by 192 from Bangladesh, 53 from India, 04 each from Maldives and Sri Lanka and 01 from Nepal.
This vigorous membership campaign enabled SAAAR CCI to generate sizeable fund meant for construction of SAARC CCI Headquarters Building. It is worthwhile to mention here that a revolutionary increase in fund has been witnessed particularly during last three years. This unprecedented growth in SAARC CCI funds in last four years reflects SAARC CCI team well co-ordinated efforts.