Dhaka – The Policy Advocacy Meeting was held on November 27, 2019 at the Hotel Pacific Sonargaon during the 33rd CACCI Conference in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The report presented by Mr. Bryan Clark, Director for Trade and International Affairs at the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Chairman of the CACCI Policy Advocacy Working Group, submitted a summary report of the meeting emphasizing the following advocacy issues:
This year, the Working Group had introduced a new initiative of inviting member chambers to propose policy positions that could be considered by the Working Group. This has resulted in three submissions – one from the Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey (TEPAV), the Think Tank of Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) and two from the Wellington Chambers of Commerce.
Policy Advocacy
- The paper prepared by TEPAV entitled “Special Economic Zones: Why it is time to have a fresh look at the concept and how?” – and presented via Skype by Mr. Guven Sak, Managing Director of TEPAV) – was recommended for approval. A suggestion was also made to showcase in the CACCI website the Special Economic Zones being operated by CACCI members in their respective countries.
- The first paper prepared by Wellington Chamber of Commerce and entitled “Greater Emphasis on Skills Development and Availability” was considered and recommended for approval.
- The second paper prepared by Wellington Chamber of Commerce and entitled “Overcoming tensions between “buy local” policies and campaigns and the wider CACCI view on liberal trade and investment” was considered and recommended for approval subject to a 30-day circulation period to members due to its late admission.
