The SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SAARC CCI) in collaboration with Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) is organizing the 4th SBLC under the theme "Peace and Prosperity through regional connectivity" in Kathmandu, Nepal from 20-22 September 2011.The event is being organized in partnership with the Federations of National Chambers of Commerce & Industry of the SAARC member countries and is supported by Friedrich Naumann Stiftung Fur die Freiheit. The first SBLC was held on 17-18 November 2005 at New Delhi, second on 17-18 February 2007 at Mumbai and the third on 22-23 November 2009 at Colombo.

The main objective of this event is to create synergies for regional integration and cooperation through effective networking of Business Community. The event will be attended by high profile business persons, representatives of governments, academia and development partners among others. There will be more than 200 delegates from the member states in addition to 200 participants from Nepal participating in the event.

The Conference will focus on the following sub theme:

• Ministerial session on Generating Political Will for Regional economic Integration
• Business Leaders session on Contemporary issues and Commercial Connectivity in South Asia
• Working session on Water, Energy, Climate Change and Food Security
• Trade and Investments In South Asia: Challenges and Opportunities
• Youth Development and Leadership: Promising Prosperous Future of South Asia
• Entrepreneurship and women Empowerment
• Connectivity through tourism and Cultural Exchange

Delegates Profile

• Political leaders
• Diplomats and Senior Government Officials/Representatives
• Elites of the Business Community
• Renowned Entrepreneurs
• Professionals
• Media representatives.
• Social Activists & Cultural Ambassadors
• Analysts
• Academicians and Researchers
• Friends of South Asia
• Representatives from SAARC observer countries

Speaker's Profile

• Heads of State/Government of SAARC Countries
• Foreign Ministers/Finance & Commerce Ministers of SAARC Countries
• Prominent Scholars/Statesmen from and outside the SAARC Region
• Top Corporate Leaders of SAARC
• Media & Entertainment Representatives
• NGOs and Development Activists
• Academic Researchers from various sectors

Bringing in the Best of Business and Entertainment:

• Two days conference
• B2B Meetings
• Presence of industry leaders from the region
• Entertainment Evenings
• Gala Dinners
• Business Networking
• Sectoral Roundtables
• Platform for constructive partnerships and much more ...

Expected Outcomes

• Facilitate intra-regional trade and investments flows within and outside the region.
  
• Increased business partnerships and joint ventures in the Private Sector, which will enhance economic interdependence among SAARC countries and directly promote trade and business for peace.
  
• Emphasizing on securing a wider economic space so that benefits and opportunities offered therein can be shared, ultimately realizing the true economic potential of South Asia.
  
• Develop infrastructure, logistics and transport to facilitate trade liberalization in South Asia.
  
• To make stakeholders comprehend the key economic issues to embark upon and influence policy level decisions.
  
• On completion of project, stakeholders will play an active role in decision making for economic policy reforms, especially with focus on multilateral and regional arrangements.
  
• Strengthening economic and political linkages among SAARC countries, which will result in devising possible common positions at international forums such as WTO.
  
• Increased cross border exchange among SAARC nationals, which will develop better understanding of cultures, information exchange, economic and social norms etc.
  
• SAARC CCI as a strong and accepted regional institution playing a decisive role for economic liberalization agenda of SAARC countries.

In the pretext of deteriorating investment environment in Nepal, organization of such regional event will boost the morale of the investors and help in attracting the investment into Nepal. We believe the Conclave will be successful in strengthening the intraregional trade and economic ties.