Call for devising strategy to promote intra SAARC trade.

LAHORE -- Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Kashif Anwar said on Saturday that a comprehensive strategy should be evolved to remove the obstacles hindering intra SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) trade.

He expressed these views while presenting the address of welcome for SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vice President Mian Anjum Nisar here at the LCCI, while Senior Vice President Zafar Mahmood Chaudhry and Vice President Adnan Khalid Butt also expressed their views. Muhammad Ali Mian, Irfan Iqbal Sheikh, Fahim-ur-Rehman Saigol, Khawaja Shahzeb Akram, Tahir Manzoor Chaudhry and LCCI Executive Committee Members were present.

Kashif Anwar said that SAARC outgoing President Iftikhar Ali Malik rendered matchless services for the cause of business community, trade and industry in SAARC countries. He hoped that the new management of SAARC would follow his footprint that grow the trade and economic relations of SAARC states.

Kashif Anwar greeted Mian Anjum Nisar for being elected as Vice President of SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He hoped that Mian Anjum Nisar would play his role in creating an atmosphere of trust among the member countries. He said that SAARC share in global exports was 1.9 percent as compared to ASEAN's 8 percent. From 2017 to 2022, SAARC's total exports increased by 26 percent from $372 billion to $468 billion, while ASEAN countries' total exports increased by 54 percent from $1.3 trillion to $2 trillion.

He said, "If we want to highlight the importance of SAARC region, we have...