The 23rd Annual Conference (CACCI)
[05 April, 2009]

The 23rd annual conference was ceremonially inaugurated by Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan and addressed by Japan’s Prime Minister Taro Aso. Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan Hirofumi Nakasone, attended the meeting. Twenty six apex Chambers of Commerce and Industry representing the entire Asia-Pacific region, including Sri Lanka, Japan, India, Pakistan, Russia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Iran, Thailand, Turkey, Malaysia, Singapore, Korea, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand participated in the proceedings.

Export Development and International Trade Minister Professor G.L. Peiris, while expressing appreciation of the Council’s decision to hold their Conference in 2010 in Colombo, said that their decision is entirely appropriate, since Sri Lanka is beginning a new and exciting period in its history. SLBCJ President also participated for the CACCI 23rd annual conference.

The Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) is a regional association principally composed of the national chambers or associations of commerce and industry in Asia and the Western Pacific.

It is a non-governmental organisation and covers practically the same geographic area as the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the regional organisation of the United Nations.