KATHMANDU, April 21: Nepal has assumed the presidency of the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with Chandi Raj Dhakal taking over the leadership at a handover ceremony held in Islamabad on Sunday.
Dhakal succeeds Md. Jashim Uddin of Bangladesh, marking the 16th leadership transition of the regional apex business body. The ceremony was attended by Muhammad Hanif Abbasi as chief guest.
In his inaugural address, Dhakal outlined an ambitious plan to transform SAARC CCI from a dialogue-oriented platform into an action-driven institution focused on delivering tangible economic outcomes. He stressed that regional economic cooperation should continue irrespective of political challenges and described the chamber as a neutral platform for business diplomacy and trust-building across South Asia.
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Abbasi reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for regional integration, underscoring the importance of trade, connectivity and people-to-people engagement in advancing shared prosperity.
Opening the event, Atif Ikram Sheikh welcomed delegates from across SAARC member states. Outgoing president Uddin, in his remarks, highlighted key achievements during his tenure, including the completion of the SAARC CCI headquarters in Islamabad.
The event saw virtual participation from business leaders across the region, including representatives from India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Nepal, reflecting broad regional backing for Nepal’s leadership.
Speakers, including Vinod Juneja and Ruwan Edirisinghe, expressed confidence in Dhakal’s leadership and called for stronger private sector cooperation. Hina Pervez Butt, who attended as special guest, emphasised the need for greater participation of women in trade and leadership.
The ceremony concluded with a formal transfer of the SAARC CCI flag and crest to Dhakal, symbolising the transition of the presidency from Bangladesh to Nepal, alongside a renewed call for enhanced regional collaboration and economic integration.
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