Kathmandu- President of the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Chandi Raj Dhakal has represented South Asia’s private sector at the official global launch of the Commonwealth Creative Industries Alliance (CCIA) in London.
The event, held at the historic Marlborough House on September 9, brought together government officials, business leaders, investors, creators and representatives of Commonwealth institutions to discuss the growing role of the creative economy in global trade and investment.
Discussions at the event focused on creative-economy investment, policy development, intellectual property, artificial intelligence, creator rights, international trade and cross-border partnerships.
Addressing the gathering, Dhakal said the creative economy was no longer a peripheral sector but had emerged as an important driver of trade, investment and youth employment across South Asia and the wider Commonwealth.
He emphasized the need to connect South Asian designers, filmmakers, musicians, artisans and digital creators with international markets, investment opportunities and stronger recognition of their rights.
Dhakal also highlighted the economic potential of South Asia’s young population. He said South Asia represents a community of nearly 2 billion people, with around 42 percent being young, creating significant opportunities for economic growth if young people and women are provided with skills, education, entrepreneurship opportunities and decent employment.
He stressed the importance of increasing women’s participation in the workforce and supporting women entrepreneurs, arguing that greater participation by women and young people could boost trade, innovation, entrepreneurship and inclusive economic growth across Commonwealth countries.
The Commonwealth Creative Industries Alliance has been launched as a Commonwealth-wide initiative covering all 56 member states and approximately 2.5 billion people. The initiative aims to strengthen the creative industries, which are valued at more than US$2 trillion, and position the sector as a stronger platform for economic growth and investment.
The launch comes ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2026 in Antigua and Barbuda, with the creative economy emerging as an important area of Commonwealth cooperation.
Representatives of the CCIA said South Asia would be an important part of the initiative, while partnerships with private-sector institutions such as the SAARC Chamber would be crucial to turning dialogue into practical opportunities.
A delegation led by Dhakal included senior representatives from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives, Pakistan and Nepal. Nepalese representatives included SCCI Executive Committee Member Shova Gyawali, General Assembly Members Basanti Mishra Pradhan and Ava Shah, among others.
Following the launch, the SCCI delegation also met with representatives of the Nepalese diaspora, the Nepal Embassy and the wider Nepali community in the United Kingdom at a reception hosted by the UK Chamber of Commerce and partner organizations.
The discussions focused on strengthening economic and business cooperation between South Asia and the United Kingdom and creating greater opportunities for South Asian entrepreneurs and businesses within the wider Commonwealth network.
