The president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry FBCCI Md. Jashim Uddin has taken the charge as the president of the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), the apex trade body of the South Asia. He will be serving the SCCI as its president for the term 2023-24. The SAARC CCI arranged a colorful event held on 25 May 2023 at the Hotel Intercontinental in Dhaka in this regard.
The New President of SAARC CCI Md. Jashim Uddin said that South Asia with its diversified resources and skilled workforce has tremendous potential be the fastest-growing exporting region to the globe. As we begin this new tenure, our region is experiencing rapid economic growth, but we must also confront a range of complex issues and barriers to trade that limits cross-border regional trade.
The Intra-trade among SAARC countries continues to be low ranging between 5-7% of total trade. In addition, this is declining every year. On the other hand, we are seeing increased integration in other regional blocks. Intra-regional trade is over 40% in NAFTA, 68% in EU, 27% in ASEAN. Their economic integration is directly tied to their GDP per capita, higher productivity and, lower poverty and unemployment, he added.
The new SCCI president said that it is imperative for us to draw lessons from the successes achieved by other regional agreements, and channel their experiences of regional identity and solidarity into our efforts to propel SAARC towards new heights.
it is our responsibility to find innovative and sustainable solutions to these challenges, and to work together to create a brighter future for the people of our region, he opined.
The priority will be given to enhance collaboration on sectors with high growth potential such as information technology, manufacturing, energy, tourism, and agribusiness that derive tangible results, the SCCI President added.
While speaking as the Guest of Honor Foreign Minister Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen said, Bangladesh always promotes trust and friendship among neighbors. South Asia is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. We have a lot of potential, but unfortunately, we are still lagging behind to seize all the opportunities.
Foreign Minister said that the close partnership of the business communities can bring economic prosperity to South Asia. Tariff and Non-tariff barriers should be decreased. I hope SCCI will play a significant role here.
Salman F Rahman said that there is huge potential in South Asia, but unfortunately, we are facing some artificial political barriers. We need the address these problems to make the South Asian region a prosperous one. The SCCI can make the chance to get advantage of the regional benefit.
FBCCI Senior Vice President Mostofa Azad Chowdhury said that SAARC CCI is the only platform for the South Asian Business Community to network, collaborate and foster partnerships with the common business people of the region.
For inclusive economic growth in the SAARC region, SAARC CCI has the responsibility to identify the existing bilateral and multilateral tariff and non-tariff barriers, connectivity, and other challenges, he added.
Md. Jashim Uddin was born to a well-reputed business family on January 1, 1965, in Sonaimury, Noakhali, Bangladesh. He is the son of the late Al-Hajj Idris Miah and the late Tahera Begum. He completed his graduation with a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Dhaka in 1986.
During his graduation from university, Jashim Uddin joined the Board of Bengal Group of Industries as Director in 1983. Bengal Group is a diversified conglomerate with interests in a variety of sectors, including plastics, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy. He is the Chairman of Bengal Commercial Bank Limited. He is the Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bengal Group of Industries & Bengal Media Corporation (RTV).
Jashim Uddin is a prominent leader in the business community of Bangladesh. He is the current president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), the apex trade body of Bangladesh. He is also the president of the Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association.
The new SCCI President Md. Jashim Uddin has received numerous awards and recognition for his contributions to the business community and the economy of Bangladesh. He was awarded the Commercially Important Person (CIP), the Best Enterprise Award, “Prime Minister’s National Export Trophy-Gold” several times due to his contributions to the country’s economy. He has also achieved the “President Industrial Development Award -2009” & “Best Enterprise Award-2007”
Jashim Uddin is a visionary leader who is committed to improving the lives of the Bangladeshi people. He is a strong advocate for economic development, and he believes that the private sector can play a key role in creating jobs and improving the lives of the Bangladeshi people.
President of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Irfan Iqbal Sheikh, Former President of SAARC CCI (Sri Lanka) Macky Hashim, Former President of SAARC CCI (Sri Lanka) Ruwan Ediringehe, Former Cabinet Minister of the Government of Maldives Mariyam Shakeela, Former President of SAARC CCI (Sri Lanka) Ruwan Ediringehe, Vice President of SAARC CCI (Nepal), and Past President of the Federation of Nepal Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FNCCI) Chandi Raj Dhakal, Vice President of India -Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industry (IBCCI)Sanjay Basu, Vice President of SAARC CCI (from Pakistan) Anjum Nisar, EC Member of Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce & Industry Janaqa Siddiqui and others business leaders from Bangladesh and SAARC nations were present at the program
