The Hindu Business Line : SAARC small industries expo in Kolkata

THOUGH the recent political development in Nepal might have influenced postponing the SAARC Summit in Dhaka, such an issue has failed to dampen the spirit of the Federation of Associations of Cottage & Small Industries (FACSI).

The first-ever SAARC countries small industries conference-cum-exhibition, organised by the association in the city, was inaugurated today by the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee.

Incidentally, FACSI is being supported by the Ministry concerned of the Union Government and the West Bengal Government.

Delegates and exhibitors from SAARC countries, namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal and India have already arrived.

They would participate and deliberate at the three-day-long conference.

Delegates from Maldives have pleaded their inability to participate because of the post tsunami situation in their country.

According to the FACSI, altogether 800 delegates and exhibitors will participate the conference-cum-exhibition, aiming at focusing a point that the SAARC should move towards a customs union by gradually eliminating the tariff and non-tariff barriers and discriminatory practice in the region.

The conference has a plan to form a "permanent forum" for small industries covering all SAARC countries.

Economic development has been a major challenge to these countries in the last few decades, although there has been an increased awareness of exploiting the synergy of these countries through mutual assistance for setting up infrastructure, supply of consultancy services, plant & machinery and training.

It is pointed out that in the face of global challenges, it is high time that apex bodies of SSIs in SAARC countries such as FACSI, should strengthen the manufacturing and service sector potentialities to fight the global competition.

It is also equally necessary to identify and locate the import requirement of each SAARC country and explore the possibility of tapping supplies from SAARC countries instead of approaching developed countries, said Mr D.B. Ghosh, President of FACSI.

Mr Ghosh said that it was with this objective in view that the federation had taken the initiative to bring small-scale industries of the SAARC region on a common platform and create an awareness of mutual co-operation, technical collaboration, etc.

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