ICC - SCCI Regional Workshop on Trade Facilitation

International Chamber of Commerce and SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry organises Regional Workshop on Trade Facilitation and Challenges for Custom and Business Community in Colombo May 8 and 9. "Why Must SAARC Provide Trade Facilitation". "Make SAARC an attractive regional hub for investment and business" will be theme of the event.

International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is the world business organisation located in Paris, France, the only representative body that speaks with authority on behalf of enterprises from all sectors in every part of the world on trade. ICC promotes open international trade and investment system and market economy. A group of founded ICC in 1919 in Europe farsighted business leaders who called themselves "the merchants of peace"

Its objective was to promote free trade among countries. ICC has national councils in 160 countries. Current head office of ICC is located in Paris, France. ICC Sri Lanka (ICCSL) was incorporated in 1955 and since then it has been engaged in a wide area of support to business. ICC is the sole authority for issue of carnet and ICCSL plays an active role in support to export trade.

International Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka assisted by International Chamber of Commerce Paris with Faculty provided by International Chamber of Commerce Asia will conduct the two-day ICC - SAARC Regional Workshop on Trade Facilitation and Challenges for Custom and Business Community.

SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) headquartered in Lahore, Pakistan, will coordinate the logistics for this workshop. SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry will invite Director Generals of Custom and Senior Officials of Ministries of Finance to Colombo.

Secretary General of SAARC CCI Waqar Ahmad of Pakistan, Ms Lee Jong Son of International Chamber of Commerce Asia will inaugurate the workshop in the presence of Senior Ministers and other officials of Ministry of Finance.

Topics for debate "Why Must SAARC Provide Trade Facilitation". Objective "Make SAARC an attractive regional hub for investment and business".

There is an urgent need to Speed up integration, Provide international business infrastructure, Help businesses in SAARC to develop export markets. Trade Facilitation could be achieved by implementing international trade and custom practices, fostering an effective closer working rapport with international trade promotion organisations.

Strengthened Customs - Business Sector Partnership through implementation of ATA Carnet System throughout SAARC. Of 7 SAARC members only India and Sri Lanka have implemented ATACarnet System.

Pakistan is now in the process of sorting out implementation details.