Asian Arab chamber to explore trade opportunities

Asian Arab Chamber of Commerce is hosting a day-long summit Thursday here to explore trade and investment opportunities in the two regions.

"About 500 delegates from 10 countries across the twin regions will participate in the 'Transcending Asian Borders-2014' summit being held for the second consecutive year here to flag trade and investment opportunities in Asia and the Arab world," chamber president S. Krishnakumar told reporters here Tuesday.

The participating countries are Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Egypt, Japan, Maldives, Oman and South Korea.

Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh will inaugurate the summit and address the gathering.

"We are also launching the first Indo-Japanese skills development t council and a village project on the occasion to strengthen trade ties between the two Asian countries," Krishnakumar said ahead of the annual summit.

"The summit will bring together ambassadors, officials, decision-makers, chief executives, entrepreneurs and investors to interact and share information on collaborations and joint ventures in the twin regions," chamber executive director Asif Iqbal said.

The chamber, formerly known as Indo-Arab Chamber of Commerce, provides a link to promote trade ties between Asia and the Arab world and market products and services in the member countries.

"We are focusing on strengthening economic, commercial and cultural relations between the two regions through institutional mechanisms of the respective governments and agreements signed to provide impetus to trade and investment flows," Iqbal said.

Besides keynote address by thought leaders, the summit will hold panel discussions and workshops on diverse sectors, including small and medium enterprises planning to set up their units in the Gulf region and other Asian countries.

The plenary sessions will deliberate on 'Make in India', 'Indo-Japanese trade ties', 'What the rise of China means to Indian businesses' and opportunities for Indian enterprises in the twin regions.