CEO, SDF and Chairman, SDF Board met President, ADB

H.E. Mr. Amjad Hussain B. Sial, Secretary General of SAARC with Dr. Sunil Motiwal, CEO, SDF at SDF Secretariat, Thimphu, Bhutan on 30^th May 2018

All the departments of SDF presented insights and discussed the recent developments under each department with the Secretary General. Dr. Motiwal, CEO, SDF updated the Secretary General about the activation of Infrastructure Window of SDF by in-principle approval of two important infrastructure projects in energy sector in the SAARC region - waste to energy project in Sri Lanka with participation of India and hydropower project in Nepal with participation of Bangladesh and India. Dr. Motiwal also discussed various challenges in South Asia and opportunities to enhance economic connectivity in the region.

H.E. Secretary General, SAARC appreciated SDF for its tireless efforts to achieve its mandate of promoting the welfare of the people, improving their quality of life and accelerate economic growth, social progress and poverty alleviation in the SAARC region and assured his support to SDF.

UPCOMING EVENT: SDF PARTNERSHIP CONCLAVE 2018

An event of Strategic and Regional Importance for South Asia

SDF is organizing SDF Partnership Conclave on 2-3 July 2018 in New Delhi. The Aim of the Conclave is strategic growth in the South Asia region through Project Collaboration and Regional Integration. SDF via the Conclave proposes to:

• Solicit Cross-Border Project Co-Financing in SAARC Member States.

• Build partnerships with various organizations for Fund Mobilization and Investments in SAARC Member States.

The co-financing opportunities will be available under the following thematic windows:

Infrastructure Window –

• Cross border Energy projects – focusing on renewable sources, hydropower generation and energy power distribution

• Integration of an effective Transportation system in South Asia – by road, rail, in land waterways, marine and multimodal transport

• Sustainable management of environment and natural resources – projects reducing air, land and water pollution

Economic Window –

• Trade and Commerce

• Supply chain management in Agriculture and Allied sectors by developing forward and backward linkages for procurement and distribution of fruits and vegetables

• Using Information technology to enable improvement in Trade

Social Window –

• Poverty alleviation through sustained and equitable economic growth, enhancing capacity of marginalized farmers / group cooperatives

• Human Development through commitment to access to essential services of water, sanitation, nutrition and protection services

• Health indicator improvements for the most vulnerable populations by achieving Universal Health Coverage goals by providing quality health care infrastructure and healthcare management systems, professionals and accreditations

• Support initiatives to improve Education outcomes at Secondary, tertiary and vocational training levels and for children living with disabilities

• Launch the SOCIAL ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM - applying a businesslike approach and providing solutions to address grass root developmental issues through innovative products and services for the poor and vulnerable population, rather than maximizing profits.

• Launch the Micro Small Medium enterprises program and providing a line of credit hence financial assistance to boost job creation and income generation

Key Participants:

Eminent delegates from Governments of SAARC Member States, various Multilateral Development Banks, Regional Financial Institutions, Scheduled Commercial Banks, Public Sector, Infrastructure Development Agencies, Donor Agencies, Civil Society Organization and other Development Partners are expected to participate in the prestigious conclave.

Bamboo plantation and management training at Bjoka, Zhemgang under the project "Promoting Integrated Bamboo Based Enterprise Development among SAARC Countries, " supported by  SDF. Training was attended by community members from Bjoka Gewog and Kamati Chewog. It was organised by Tarayana Foundation in collaboration with Beat Office of Bjoka Gewog.

250,000 litre reservoir tanks, inaugurated on June8, 2018, bring hope of water sufficiency for the communities of Yoeseltse and Dumsidra village, Samtse. The Tank construction was part of the WASH project implemented by RSPN with the funding from SDF and technical support from Samtse Dzongkhag and Public Health and Engineering Division, MOH

Capacity building and Product marketing for SABAH Maldives Members

Active participation of home based workers at SABAH Maldives – recently held interactive information session sharing details of actions taken for Capacity building and Product marketing for Members by Business Centre Gdh. Thinadhoo. Also part of the discussion were ways to improve and complement mutual collaboration.

Training held for teachers and QC's as part of PSDF program in Bhawalpur, SABAH Pakistan in March 2018

SDF is launching Social Enterprise Development Program (SEDP)

Empowering the marginalized segments of the SAARC Region

It is my pleasure to inform you that SDF is launching the Social Enterprise Development Program (SEDP) in the SAARC Member States.

The SAARC Development Fund has undertaken a number of initiatives for strategic growth of the SAARC region, such as forging relationships with strategic partners for taking up joint initiatives and also co-funding of projects. SDF is also working towards strengthening and positioning itself as a catalyst funding organization for the SAARC region.

As one of SDF's milestone initiatives, the Social Enterprise Development Program (SEDP) will be initiated under the Social Window of the SDF to specially identify and support the development of Social Enterprises in the SAARC Member States.

The Social Enterprise Development Program will help build and scale-up social enterprises, including and especially those in early stages of setting up new business ventures. The objective of this program is to identify and support social enterprises and prepare them for sustainability through capacity building and financial support.

Dr. Sunil Motiwal
Chief Executive Officer
SAARC Development Fund

Social Enterprise Development Program (SEDP)

The Social Enterprise Development Program will help build and scale-up social enterprises, including and especially those in early stages. The objective of this program is to identify and support social enterprises and prepare them for sustainability through capacity building and financial support.

The initial focus areas i.e. Agribusiness, Healthcare and Renewable Energy have been identified as the most suitable for the SAARC Member States.The total support for each entity under the SEDP, in two phases as mentioned below.

The SEDP program will support enterprises as follows:
Phase-I:Supporting Sustainability
Phase-II: Growth and Scale-up