MUMBAI: BBC World will be the official media partner for the second SAARC Business Leaders Conclave, being hosted on 17 and 18 February 2007 in Mumbai.
The conclave organised by the SAARC Chamber of Commerce will see BBC World and FICCI as strategic partners, providing a platform for global debate, dialogue and discussion.
Pranab Mukherjee, Foreign Minister of India, will inaugurate the SAARC Business Leaders Conclave 2007 and the two-day event will witness participation from corporate, government and media personnel from across the sub-continent.
Among those addressing the conclave are Dasho Ugen Tsechup Dorji, President, SCCI; Syed Yawar Ali, Chairman, Nestle, Pakistan; Alan Winters, Director- Development Research Group, The World Bank and Najam Sethi, Daily Times, Pakistan.
On 18 February, BBC World will organise a debate asking, Is a South Asian economic union necessary for economic growth in South Asian nations? The debate will be moderated by BBC World’s business correspondent, Karishma Vaswani with Vicki Treadell, Deputy High Commissioner, British Deputy High Commission, Mumbai and Anand Giridharadas, South Asia Correspondent, International Herald Tribune, among others taking part in the panel discussions.
BBC World, India head of marketing communication Vaishali Sharma says, “As a leading international news channel, we are proud to associate with FICCI in this endeavour to encourage regional economic cooperation through the SAARC business leaders conclave, as a result providing value to our stakeholders.â€ÂÂ
FICCI secretary general Dr Amit Mitra says, “SAARC Business Leaders Conclave is an attempt by the private sector of SAARC towards realising the aspirations of South Asia’s economic integration. The Conclave emphasises deeper Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for creating a platform to address the common challenges that South Asia is facing. FICCI and SAARC Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI) are delighted that BBC World is partnering with us in this unique enterprise of thought leadership. “
The theme of the 2007 conclave will be Regional Cooperation: A Springboard for Growth and Job Creation.