SAARC Development Fund

Dr. Sunil Motiwal, CEO of SAARC Development Fund (SDF) participated in the 50th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank in Yokohama, Japan held on May 4 – 7, 2017

Dr. Sunil Motiwal CEO, SDF with Mr. Takehika Nakao, President ADB

During the four days meeting Dr. Sunil Motiwal, the CEO, of SDF met a number of important finance and development ministers, central bank governors, other senior officials of ADB, AIIB, World Bank, European Investment Bank and other International Financial Institutions and development organizations from the Asia and Pacific region.

H.E Mr. Amjad Hussain B. Sial, the Secretary General of SAARC visited the SAARC Development Fund Office to meet the CEO, Dr. Sunil Motiwal at 4pm on April 25th 2017.

CEO, SAARC Development Fund and H.E Mr. Amjad Hussain B. Sial, the SG of SAARC

H.E Mr. Amjad Hussain B. Sial, the Secretary General of SAARC visited the SAARC Development Fund Office to meet the CEO, Dr. Sunil Motiwal and other officials on April 25th 2017.

Dr. Sunil Motiwal, CEO of the SAARC Development Fund attended the Business, Enterprise and Employment Support (BEES) in South Asia organized by World Bank at Kathmandu, Nepal held on May24-26

(left) CEO, SAARC Development Fund presenting during the BEES conference organized by the World Bank Group: (right) The group photograph of the BEES event, Kathmandu, Nepal

The main objective of the event was Advancing Women's Enterprises in South Asia for Regional Trade' by the World Bank organized by BEES.

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank & SAARC Development Fund agreed to collaborate to work together in the SAARC region.

December 1, 2016: A delegation of AIIB led by Mr. Danny Alexander, Vice President & Corporate Secretary visited SDF Secretariat in Thimphu, Bhutan in order to discuss possible areas of collaboration. Dr. Sunil Motiwal , Chief Executive Officer, SAARC Development Fund has confirmed that Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has shown interest to work along with SDF in strategic areas such as rural enery, transport and ICT projects and programs especially in the areas of rural energy, transport and ICT connectivity projects in terms of up-gradation of infrastructure and to enhance regional connectivity in SAARC Member States.

Brainstorming Workshop on the Draft Strategic Plan of SAARC Development Fund 2020

SAARC Development Fund organized a Brainstorming Workshop to finalize the draft strategic plan of SDF 2020, MSME Program and E & I Policy on February 9, 2017 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The brainstorming workshop was attended by the SDF Board of Directors and regional and international financial experts from the SAARC Member States.

The United Nations Assistant Secretary General and the Director of the Regional Bureau for Asia and Pacific, Mr. Haoliang Xu visits SAARC Development Fund Secretariat

Mr. Haoliang Xu, Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations and Director of the Regional Bureau for Asia and Pacific visited the SAARC Development Fund on 14th March, 2017, and assured to work together for strategic growth of SAARC Member States.

Upcoming Events:

27th Board Meeting at SAARC Secretariat will be held on 18th and 19th July 2017

7th Meeting of Finance & Audit Committee will be held on 17th July 2017

SAARC Development Fund (SDF) and SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) signed Memorandum of Understanding November 14, 2016, Kathmandu: Dr. Sunil Motiwal, CEO of SAARC Development Fund (SDF) and Mr. Suraj Vaidya, President of SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) have jointly announced to work together for regional integration and economic cooperation among the SAARC Member States through project

collaboration and co-financing of projects under the three windows of SDF. Both the organizations are committed towards the idea of promoting regional connectivity across the SAARC region by strengthening cooperation in the areas of transportation, infrastructure development and investment & trade through co-funding. The MoU was signed during the event "Unleashing SAARC- What it takes". Dr. Motiwal was invited by SCCI as one of the key speakers during the event "Energizing SAARC: Creating synergies".

International Hostel under SDF funded project "Regional Professional Masters Program in Rehabilitation Science" is near completion

International Hostel for the SDF funded project Rehabilitation Science is near completion in Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP) located in Savar, Bangladesh. The hostel began construction last year and will house international students from the eight SAARC member states.

Monitoring of Water Infrastructure Development and Documentation of WASH Activities in Yoeseltse and Phuntshopelri Gewogs in Samtse.

With the completion of the two water supply systems/schemes will benefit more than 539 households and can access to 24 hours safe and clean drinking water.
Three Project Financing Agreements (PFAs) have been signed for the SDF Project "Promoting Integrated Bamboo Based Enterprise Development among SAARC Countries" in Afghanistan, India and Bangladesh.

Students under the project Regional Professional masters Program in Rehabilitation Science celebrated Holi in Bangladesh

The students of the SDF funded project "Regional Professional Masters Program in Rehabilitation Science" celebrated holi in Savar,Bangladesh on March 13th,2017.

SABAH Bhutan received the National Order of Merit (Gold) granted by His Majesty the King SABAH Bhutan received the National Order of Merit (Gold) granted by His Majesty The King on the 109th National Day celebrated on 17th December 2016 in Trongsa. SABAH Bhutan was recognized for their services to the nation for volunteering time and effort towards promoting humanitarian values, the country's culture and tradition, and the national objectives; for working passionately and tirelessly for the benefit of others; for taking the responsibility to provide support and assistance wherever the government was unable to reach, and

for keeping alive the sacred values of compassion and empathy.

SABAH Afghanistan participated in the 36th India International Trade Fair SABAH Afghanistan as per their quarter work plan shared with SDF, participated in the 36th India International trade fair held in Pragati Maidan, Delhi, India from 14th Nov 2016 – 28th Nov 2016. This year's theme highlighted India's persistent

efforts to alleviate poverty through meaningful convergence of digital technologies and e-governance. Through ACCI- Afghanistan, more than 60 companies in Afghanistan were invited and around 50 companies participated in this fair. These companies were dealing with a range of Afghanistan handicraft products, carpets and dry fruits.