The 85th Executive Committee Meeting and the 28th General Assembly of the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) were successfully convened on 19th September 2025 in Dhaka, Bangladesh.The landmark meetings, held under the chairmanship of Mr. Md. Jashim Uddin, President of SCCI, brought together the apex business leadership from across South Asia to deliberate on strategic initiatives for enhancing regional economic integration.

The proceedings commenced with warm welcome remarks by President Md. Jashim Uddin, who expressed his profound gratitude to the dignitaries gathered in Dhaka and those participating virtually. Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Butt, Secretary General of SCCI, confirmed the requisite quorum for the meetings.

The assembly was graced by the presence of senior SCCI leadership, including Vice Presidents Mr. Mian Anjum Nisar (Pakistan), Mr. Chandi Raj Dhakal (Nepal), Dr. M. Rohitha Silva (Sri Lanka) Dr. Maryam Shakila Vice President (Maldives) and Mr. Vinod Juneja, Vice President (India) and Dr. Shakeela Maryam, Vice President (Maldives).

The meeting also welcomed the participation of Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh, President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), alongside former President Mr. Ruwan Edirisinghe and several Executive Committee members from Pakistan and Sri Lanka who attended online.

In his opening address, President Md. Jashim Uddin underscored the critical importance of collective action in fortifying SCCI's role as the premier regional business body. He emphasized the need for a unified vision to foster a more prosperous and interconnected South Asia, leveraging the collective strength of the private sector.

A key agenda item was the review and formal approval of the meeting agendas, followed by the endorsement of the minutes from the 84th Executive Committee Meeting. Members received a comprehensive briefing on SCCI’s recent activities and engaged in fruitful deliberations on new international collaborations spearheaded by the Chamber. Significant updates were also presented on upcoming events and the commendable progress of the SCCI Headquarters Building Project.

Further substantive discussions encompassed the annual membership subscription fee structure, the strategic closure of the Colombo Sub-Office, and the forthcoming handover–takeover of the Presidency, including the necessary nomination procedures. The Assembly demonstrated its commitment to expanding its base by approving new life membership applications, thereby ensuring wider and more diverse representation.

Looking ahead, the date and venue for the 86th Executive Committee Meeting were confirmed, scheduled for December 2025. The distinguished delegates unanimously underscored the imperative of enhancing SCCI's institutional capacity to enable a more dynamic and proactive role in representing the private sector at the regional level.

In a momentous decision, it was announced that the new SCCI Headquarters Building will be inaugurated on SAARC Charter Day in December 2025. This inauguration is poised to symbolize a new era of business-led regionalism, directly aligning with SAARC’s founding vision of achieving greater prosperity, stability, and connectivity for nearly two billion people across South Asia.

The meeting concluded on a high note of consensus and commitment, reflecting a shared resolve to advance the region's economic agenda.