A joint meeting of Isfahan Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture and the commercial attachés of the member countries of Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) called for substantial contribution by all Asian countries to inclusive development in the region as it laid out the agenda of a second gathering of the presidents of ACD member states’ chambers of commerce.
The president of the Isfahan Chamber of Commerce, some of its members along with the commercial attachés of Asia Cooperation Dialogue member nations attended the April 8 meeting held at Tehran’s Parsian Azadi Hotel, according to the Information Committee of the upcoming meeting.
Dialogue, a prelude to global developments
“This go-together is designed to preview and coordinate an upcoming meeting of COC presidents of Asia Cooperation Dialogue members,” President of the Isfahan Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture Amir Kashani told the meeting after he extended a warm welcome to participants.
“At the suggestion of the ACD Secretariat, Isfahan will play host to the meeting on April 29 and 30,” he further said. “Given that tradespeople are synergistic and capable of pursuing common goals, we hope to play host to many Asian guests in this event.”
He went on to say that after the first such gathering, which was held in Istanbul, Turkey in 2021, Isfahan is now preparing to host the second gathering. “The gathering lasts two days, while Isfahan will play host to ACD guests for four days,” Kashani added.
“The 30 days to May 20th is the most beautiful month in this city. That’s why Isfahan’s culture week too is celebrated in this period,” he noted, adding, “There will be an exhibition on the sidelines of the two-day event to introduce investment opportunities and promote ways of more efficient interaction among members.”
“The stage will be set for bilateral and multilateral talks between ACD members’ chambers of commerce. It is our hope that these arrangements set negotiations in motion among tradespeople of member states. After all, talks are a prelude to global developments, especially in our big Asian community,” he said.
In conclusion, the president of the Isfahan Chamber of Commerce urged the Tehran embassies of ACD member countries to pave the way for a bigger presence as well as for constructive negotiations in “the beautiful city of Isfahan”.
COCs are instrumental in economic development of nations
The director general of the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s Office for Multilateral and International Economic Cooperation was another speaker at the event.
Jalaleddin Alavi thanked the Isfahan Chamber of Commerce for its efforts to organize the meeting and said, “The role the private sector and chambers of commerce play in economic development and advancement of state plans is crucial.”
He went on to say, “With as many as 35 members, ACD is the largest and most important Asian forum. All member states pursue economic plans and private entities certainly play a role in advancement of these plans.”
“This initiative of the Isfahan Chamber of Commerce helps introduce its potential to foreign partners. It also allows the latter to lay out what they have to offer. Similar measures are underway in the provinces,” the Foreign Ministry official said.
Later, a video on Isfahan province and its commercial potential in a wide array of fields such as transportation, petrochemistry, agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, mining and the industry at large was played for commercial attachés of Asian countries.
Successful investment requires all-out efforts by nations
Mohammad Reza Gol-Ahmad, Head of International Council and Board member of Isfahan Chamber of Commerce, was another speaker at the event.
“That our countries have been located in Asia is nothing we have chosen ourselves. Naturally, our economic and development indices are compared with those of other continents. That leaves us no choice but work together like 35 members of a sport team to get the best result on the score board. We should have launched cooperation much earlier because all experts believe that Asia has the best economic potential and natural resources,” he said.
Gol-Ahmad characterized the gathering as a golden opportunity for Asian countries and said the event helps member countries unlock their potential. “To us trade is the most important issue and every plan worked out for this event focuses on trade. One such measure is the launch of an exclusive website to feature the investment opportunities of other countries.”
He further said, “Provision of information on investment projects can help facilitate ties between Asian countries. Just like the North-South project, there are several investment opportunities in the field of agriculture and food security. Given that tourism in Asia shows a lot of promise, the stage is already set for the expansion of this industry.
“In light of the fact that energy is important, we need to focus on clean energies. There are several innovative projects in science parks and knowledge-based companies that can pave the way for industrial relations and new trade among Asian countries.”
Gol-Ahmad also urged the representatives of the ACD countries to present joint projects prior to the gathering so that they could be promoted in the website dedicated to cooperation and investment opportunities. “There are many institutions in Asia that can put money in these projects.”
He went on to say there are several economic events in the region, one of which is the Tehran Expo which plays out in tandem with the Isfahan gathering. “We hope those who participate in the Isfahan conference here can have a presence in the Tehran event too. More investment translates into more growth and development across the continent, which will, in turn, serve the interests of all humanity. This event also helps put underdeveloped nations on the path to development which is a plus for Asia in terms of growth.”
“We also hope that with the contribution of all members this conference results in reduction of poverty, better care of the environment and community growth in Asia. After all, successful development requires all-out efforts by nations,” he concluded.
Meticulous planning to organize the Isfahan gathering in best possible way
Later on, Dr. Javad Amin-Mansoor, Advisor to the president of Isfahan Chamber of Commerce, touched on preparations for the gathering and its agenda.
He said the chamber has coordinated with authorities to handle visa and airport services in Isfahan, Tehran and Shiraz and that a number of Isfahan Chamber of Commerce representatives will welcome foreign guests.
After presenting an overview of the major and peripheral sections of the event, Dr. Amin-Mansoor officially launched the gathering’s exclusive website and said www.acd.eccim.com has different sections in which news on investment opportunities and cooperation can be published.
He went on to say those who are interested in attending the conference can sign up on this website and receive additional information.
“Asia Cooperation Dialogue is a regional gathering of states with an array of items on its agenda. The official language of the conference is English but the organizing committee has included Farsi for the convenience of a large number of participants who are Iranian nationals,” he noted.
The international airports of Isfahan and Shiraz as well as the capital’s Imam Khomeini Airport will serve as the arrival and departure points for foreign guests, he said, adding, “There will be a welcoming desk bearing a banner of the conference in each airport from which participants will be transferred free of charge to Isfahan’s Chaharbagh Hotel. Of course, we suggest participants pick Isfahan’s Airport because it is closer to the hotel and accordingly transportation is more convenient.”
Chaharbagh, which sits along the nicest street in Isfahan and employs a mix of modern and traditional architecture, is an ideal place for the guests to stay, he added.
Dr. Amin-Mansoor further said that several major events will be held in Isfahan and elsewhere in the country in tandem with the conference. Visiting the venue of these events, among them the Tehran Expo, can be interesting for participants.
A number of other events have been planned for participants, among them official meetings with the mayor of Isfahan and other local officials, an interfaith peace and friendship initiative, visits to the city’s mosques, churches, synagogues and fire temples, strolls along the city’s historical streets and, last but least, visits to Chehel Sotoun Palace, Naqshe Jahan Square and traditional markets, he said.
The counselor added that in a bid to improve interaction among attendees a number of events will be held on the sidelines of the ACD conference, among them an exhibition allowing local and foreign merchants to display their products, bilateral sessions which offer an opportunity to participants to expound on their plans and activities, an event on the sidelines of the conference devoted to investment, and a special meeting to let Asian businesses offer information on their investment projects, identify their needs and secure the required information. The last event will be held at Nesf-e Jahan Conference Hall on April 29.
An unprecedented opportunity for member states
The second meeting of COC presidents of Asia Cooperation Dialogue countries to be held on April 29 and 30 offers an unprecedented opportunity to member countries to promote relations and boost cooperation, said Saeed Ebrahimi, the Director of Marketing and International Relations Dept Isfahan Chamber of Commerce.
The Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) is an intergovernmental organization created on June 18, 2002 in Cha-am, Thailand to promote Asian cooperation at a continental level and to ensure coordination among different regional organizations. The grouping has 35 members; hence, it is the largest intergovernmental entity in Asia. Iran joined the ACD on June 21, 2004. Five years later, it was selected as a pioneering country in cultural cooperation.
