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The Bhutan Ministry of Finance hosted the first National Consultation Workshop for the draft SASEC Vision document in Thimphu, Bhutan, on 26 October 2016, with assistance from the SASEC Secretariat.

The Workshop:

• Discussed key elements of the draft SASEC Vision document, including roadmaps of SASEC countries;
• Exchanged views and obtained inputs from the Government of Bhutan and private sector stakeholders on the draft SASEC Vision; and
• Discussed comments and inputs from stakeholders, to be considered in the revision and finalization of the Vision document.

Mr. Nim Dorji, Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Bhutan, chaired the Workshop. In his opening remarks, he emphasized the importance of Bhutan's participation in the consultation as an avenue for identifying potential economic opportunities within the region.

The Workshop was attended by over 30 participants, including senior officials from various government agencies, including Revenue and Customs, Finance, Planning, Commercial/Rail, Shipping, Industry, Urban Development, Information Technology and Communication, Tourism, Labor, Employment/Skills Development Ministries, as well as representatives from the private sector and think tanks.

The SASEC Vision is the program’s long-term strategy, laying out a road map to achieve the fundamental SASEC goal of increasing trade and economic cooperation within South Asia, creating linkages to Southeast Asia, and promoting sustained and inclusive economic growth through regional cooperation. The Secretariat is holding a series of national workshops in all SASEC countries, to ensure a full consultative process in preparing the SASEC Vision.

The SASEC Vision Document National Workshop in all six countries is funded through ADB technical assistance projects.