LAHORE : President Federation of Chambers of Commerce
and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) Ruwan Edirisinghe Monday took over SAARC Chamber Presidency for the term 2018-19 in a grandeur ceremony graced by Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickramsinghe at Colombo Ruwan Edirisinghe became the 13th President of SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the second Sri Lankan appointed to this position. Earlier he served as Senior Vice president of SAARC CCI in year 2017,says a message
received here today from Colombo.
Commenting on his new position he said, I’m feeling honored yet humbled to accept this prestigious position of Presidency at SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He also said SAARC is apolitical and trade block which has overall population little over 1.7 billion with enormous unutilized natural and human resources. As we all know the engine of the growth of the south Asia is the private sector of SAARC member countries. Therefore, the development and the progress of the SAARC member countries cannot be separated from the development and progress of the private sector of the SAARC member countries.
“In this context, under my Presidency, I wish to focus on trade and
investments both unilaterally and bilaterally in short term and long term targets to bring “SAARC” brand shining in the world Economy to be the strongest and best chamber in the world in year 2030”, he further added.
Ruwan Edirisinghe is an award winning entrepreneur in the field of
constructions and the founder chairman/Managing director of R N
Constructions -the flagship company of the R N group of companies. He was adjudged as the Sri Lankan entrepreneur of the year in year 2008 at its annual awards ceremony.
He is the chairman of the Ceylon National Chamber of Industries of Sri Lanka (CNCI) also serves on number of trade chambers and professional bodies in the country in various capacities. Ruwan Edirisinghe is a civil engineer by profession and was graduated from university of Peradeniya in year 1986.
Congratulating him for taking over responsibility of SAARC CCI president, Iftikhar Ali Malik, Vice President SAARC Chamber Pakistan Chapter who was representing Pakistan on the occasion, said he is much optimistic that under dynamic leadership of Ruwan, SAARC CCI will get the quick and fruitful results by strengthening regional cooperation in the field of economy and would help the respective member states to dissolve their political issues on exigent basis through dialogues.
However, he said despite of the intense proximity the South Asian region is the least connected region in the world and there is need to work for eliminating tariff and non-tariff barriers. South Asian countries do less than 5 percent trade among them as lack of physical connectivity and political will and long sensitive lists have remained stumbling block for enhanced trade and investment.
He said the leading business communities of all eight countries feel that closer collaboration amongst businessmen is integral for regional integration and is a win-win situation for all stakeholders. “At SAARC CCI, our aim is to facilitate businesses of South Asia and to encourage investors from SAARC region and beyond to invest in SAARC countries. We strongly feel that this exchange will address major challenges the region faces; job creation for the youth of South Asia, our region’s biggest asset; and poverty,” he concluded. Other important members of pak delegation currently attending the event included Zubair Ahma Malik, Advisor SAARC chamber,Shaharyar Ali Malik,Vice Chairman, Youth Entrepreneur
Forum SAARC chamber and Nasim Ur Rehman, member executive committee, Ms Hina Saeed, Secretary General and Zulfiqa Ali Butt, Deputy Secretary General.
