President Abdul Hamid will raise curtain of the two-day international conference on global economic recovery and Asian economy in Dhaka today.
The conference is expected to bring together 500 participants including globally reputed dignitaries, ministers, industry and business leaders, experts, economists and academics from home and abroad.
The Bangladesh chapter of International Conference Centre (ICCB), the world business organisation, is hosting the conference at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel and Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in Dhaka to mark 20 years of its presence in Bangladesh.
Earlier, the ICCB has arranged four similar events in the capital in 2000, 2004, 2005 and 2010.
The participants will have brainstorming sessions on topics such as global economic recovery, Asian growth and investment and contemporary realities to devise strategies to sustain economic growth of the Asian countries amid geopolitical risks, according to the organisers.
Highlighting the importance of the conference, ICCB President Mahbubur Rahman said the conference would be a leaning platform for local policy makers and businesses, as it brings together both local and foreign expertise and provides an opportunity for interaction on economic recovery and sustainable growth.
The world economy, five years after the global financial crisis, is showing signs of bouncing back this year where Asia, led by China, Japan and India, play a significant role, the ICCB president said.
“It is expected that Asia will continue to lead the way for sustained world growth, and world leaders have to prioritise development of an integrated global strategy to sustain the projected world growth momentum,” he said.
The conference has been divided into four sessions to focus on particular themes: global economic recovery as a contemporary reality, realities and challenges to Asian growth, investment promotion in Asia, and effects of the Bali outcome on future trade.
The business sessions to be held on the second day have been divided into four sessions to deliberate of the conference.
The foreign dignitaries to attend the event include UNCTAD Secretary General Dr Mukhisa Kituyi, Deputy Prime Minister of Kuwait Dr Abdulmoshen Al-Medeij, Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka Professor GL Peiris, Minister for Industries and Commerce of Sri Lanka Rishad Bathiudeen, Commerce and Supplies Minister of Nepal Sunil Bahadur Thapa, Minister of Economic Affairs of Bhutan Lyonpo Norbu Wangchuk, ICC Research Foundation and Chairman of Fung Group Victor K Fung, President of Chaudhary Group of Nepal Binod K Chaudhary, ICC Secretary General John Danilovich, and ICC Vice Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal.
The big event is being organised for the first time by all the major chambers and associations of the country, including Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association.
The Paris-based ICC was established in 1919 to promote free market economy and facilitate cross-border business transactions.
It most thoroughly represents business organisations of the world. Member companies in over 127 countries have interests spanning in every sector of private enterprise.
