SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and FBCCI have organized a business conference with businessmen, entrepreneurs, economists, researchers and stakeholders to identify trade and investment opportunities and barriers in the South Asian region and determine ways to overcome challenges.
Commerce Secretary Mr. Mahbubur Rahman was present as the chief guest at the conference held at a hotel in the capital on Thursday (September 18, 2025) afternoon. The conference had two separate sessions titled “Emerging Trades in Global Politics and Implications in the Global Economic Order” and “Increasing South Asia Economic Cooperation: Options for Enhancing Connectivity, Trade and Investment”.
In his welcome address, SAARC Chamber President Md. Jasim Uddin said that internal trade in South Asia is relatively low. We need to identify the reasons for this. He said that to remove these barriers, emphasis should be placed on trade facilitation through automation, cross-border tariff and non-tariff barriers, mutual distrust, and the introduction of e-commerce and fin-tech in trade.
Md. Jasim Uddin also called on SAARC countries to work together to develop South Asia as a strong supply chain hub.
Earlier, FBCCI Secretary General Md. Alamgir said that tourism, Every country in South Asia will benefit if they work together to develop important sectors including information technology and energy. He also urged countries to take necessary steps to utilize the benefits of demographic dividend.
In the first session of the conference, the keynote address was given by Dr. M. Mashrur Riaz, Chairman of Policy Exchange Bangladesh. He said that the global political continuum is changing. Along with this, economic uncertainty is also increasing. It is affecting trade and investment. In this situation, the entire system needs to be revamped to develop world trade and economy.
In the second session, the keynote address was given by Dr. Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director of CPD. She highlighted several challenges in regional trade in Asia – political instability, tariff and non-tariff barriers, institutional inefficiency, etc.
At this time, reducing business costs, taking public-private measures, human resource development, attracting investment, He made several suggestions, including linking education with industry, ensuring optimal use of resources and raw materials.
Speaking as a special guest at the event, Bhavesh R Trivedi, Director (Economy, Trade and Finance) of the SAARC Secretariat, called for emphasis on promoting domestic and foreign investment, including removing trade barriers.
In his closing remarks at the event, Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman said that strong political will is essential to develop South Asia as an important business hub. More non-tariff and para-tariff restrictions may come in the coming days. Heads of state will have to sit together to address these challenges.
Business leaders from various chambers and associations, economists, researchers, representatives of SAARC chambers and FBCCI and others were present at the conference.
