South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Trade Facilitation and Transport Working Group Meeting was held from 07^th to 08^th February 2017 at Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo

 The SASEC Trade Facilitation and Transport Working Group Meeting was held in Colombo on 07^th and 08^th February 2017 to review the progress of ongoing SASEC Projects in transport and trade    facilitation, discuss and seek to endorse SASEC vision document  and update the SASEC Operational Plan (2016-2025). Delegates from the Governments of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka, and staff and consultants of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) participated in the meeting. Mr. Sanjaya Mudalige, Director General, Department of National Planning and SASEC Nodal Official for Sri Lanka, chaired the meeting. Mr. Hun Kim, Director General, South Asia Department, ADB, co-chaired the meeting. Hon. Niroshan Perera, State Minister of the Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs was the chief guest in the opening session and gave the inaugural address. Hon. State Minister stated the shift of global economic growth and influence toward Asia, and the opportunity for the SASEC regional partnership will create a level playing field for all members to benefit in terms of development outcomes. Mr. M.I.M.Rafeek, Secretary of the Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs, and Mr. Hun Kim delivered welcome and opening remarks.