SAARC Symposium to commemorate 35th SAARC Charter Day

 SAARC CCI leaders with Minister of Foreign Affairs Dinesh Gunawardane, and diplomats of SAARC countries

• Strengthening regionalism through socioeconomic integration

SAARC Charter Day is an event held in December every year commemorating the signing of the Charter of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) on 8 December 1985, 35 years ago. Therefore, in commemoration of the 35th anniversary of SAARC Charter, a SAARC Symposium, themed ‘Strengthening Regionalism through Socioeconomic Integration’, was held in Colombo, on 10 December. 

The Symposium was organised by the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SAARC CCI) in partnership with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) and in collaboration with the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL). 

The purpose of the event was to rejuvenate the spirit of SAARC Charter, enhance awareness on the mission and vision of SAARC within the region and beyond, and to discuss the prospects, potentials and challenges existing in the region.

Minister of Foreign Affairs in Sri Lanka Dinesh Gunawardane graced the occasion as the chief guest of the event. Ambassador of Afghanistan to Sri Lanka Mohammed Ashraf Haidari, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Sri Lanka M. Riaz Hamidullah, High Commission of India in Sri Lanka Third Secretary Sanjana Arya, SAARC CCI and FCCISL President Ruwan Edirisinghe, SAARC CCI Past President Macky Hashim, Ministry of Tourism and Aviation Secretary Marina Mohamed, FCCISL Senior Vice President and SAARC Chamber Women Entrepreneurs Council (SCWEC) Vice Chair Shirley Jayawardane, SAARC CCI Vice President (Sri Lanka) and APTA Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Designate Dr. Rohitha Silva, FCCISL Vice President Keerthi Gunawardane, Confederation of Micro, Small and Medium Industries (COSMI) Founder President and SAARC CCI Executive Committee Member Nawas Rajabdeen, Chinese officials of Yunnan Commercial Representative Office in Sri Lanka, officials of UN agencies, officials of Government of Sri Lanka, academics and thinktanks, members of SCWEC, national and regional chamber leaders, and corporate leaders in Sri Lanka attended the event. In fact, over 120 participants took part in celebrating the 35th anniversary of SAARC Charter.  

Minister of Foreign Affairs Dinesh Gunawardane stated that the SAARC Charter is a historic document that marked the beginning of change in the lives of people in South Asia. He emphasised that Asia is the emerging power centre in the global economy. He described that foreign policy of the Sri Lankan Government has been neutral and nonaligned, and the relationships of Sri Lanka with the South Asian countries create the core elements of Sri Lanka foreign policy. He emphasised that whilst improving trade and commerce between SAARC nations, the security perspective in the region is undeniable.  

SAARC CCI and FCCISL President Ruwan Edirisinghe addressing the gathering, emphasised that it is important to invest more on research and development with a focus on high tech products. He added that India and Bangladesh have been economically performing better in the region with technological advancements. 

He stated that South Asia, because of its geo-economic location, has been playing a pivotal role in the global economic development process whilst emphasising that South Asia is one of the fast growing economies in the world having numerous untapped natural resources and a well-educated young labour force. He urged the South Asian governments to support the private sector in developing the economies of SAARC countries. He wished that with all the hard work of private sector along with the public sector, the economic status of South Asian countries would be lifted to the status of developed from the developing status within the lifetime of current economic leaders.  

Ambassador of Afghanistan to Sri Lanka Mohammed Ashraf Haidari articulated that Afghanistan strongly advocate strengthening economic cooperation in South Asia as oppose to conformational policies between SAARC nations. He added that SAARC countries should change the status quo of the region in terms of intraregional trade and commerce improving shared prosperity among the promising countries in South Asia. 

He mentioned that the connectivity between SAARC countries should be enhanced, for instance, it is expected to establish direct passenger and cargo flight services between Colombo in Sri Lanka and Kabul in Afghanistan. Whist emphasising the importance of maintaining peace and security in the region, he elaborated the importance of enhancing connectivity and relations among South Asian nations in terms of trade, commerce, education, technology, tourism and culture.  

High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Sri Lanka M. Riaz Hamidullah stated that SAARC is now 35 years of age and no longer a child, however, he emphasised, SAARC is not moving and functioning properly but rather stagnant. He explained that one cannot blame only the governments for the situation, but civil society and private sector in the region are also responsible for the status quo of SAARC. 

He described that SAARC Development Fund has approximately $ 400 million and under three windows, i.e. economic, social and infrastructure, the funds are granted to projects. However, he emphasised that the funds are not effectively being used by the private sector and civil society in the region despite the availability of the funds. He further added that bilateral agreements between South Asian countries have been more into goods with minimum focus on services linkages despite services are the emerging sector in the economies of SAARC countries. 

He stated that in terms of socioeconomic integration, enhancing connectivity among universities in South Asia and beyond is extremely important. He added that in this regard, conformity assessment and mutual recognition of academic and professional degree programmes in South Asia are significant. He emphasised that integration of services sectors of SAAR countries is fundamental in terms of regional socioeconomic integration and cooperation. 

SAARC CCI Vice President (Sri Lanka) and APTA Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Designate Dr. Rohitha Silva mentioned the importance of improving connectivity of air transport between SAARC countries, enhancing tourism with a focus on Ayurveda, yoga and meditation, mitigating environment pollution and protecting ecosystems, and youth development in South Asia. He added that in this regard the emerging eight economies of SAARC along with its nine observers, including China, Australia, European Union, Japan, South Korea, and United States, have major roles to play. 

Ministry of Tourism and Aviation Secretary Marina Mohamed stated that in terms of generating foreign exchange, tourism sector has been identified as one of the most important perspectives under the development policy framework of the Sri Lankan government. She added that tourism not only generates wealth to the countries but also it creates direct and indirect employment opportunities which would in turn be contributing to solve unemployment issues in the region. 

She emphasised that Sri Lanka and the countries in South Asia are great places of tourist attraction being rich with ancient kingdoms, religious heritages and natural resources that promote eco-tourism. 

The symposium, in general, focused on all important perspectives of strengthening regionalism through socioeconomic integration covering regional trade, services, aviation, education, culture, technology, tourism, environment and youth development. The event was concluded with a networking evening tea and refreshments giving an opportunity to business sector to network with government entities, international organisations and other relevant stakeholders of economic development.