SAARC Car Rally 2007, a biggest regional event of its kind, is scheduled to be held during 15th March – 13th April 2007, with the major objectives to promote regional connectivity, people-to-people contact, goodwill, trade, tourism and business among the member states.

The rally is scheduled to start from Cox Bazaar, Bangladesh on 15th March 2007.

The participants from SAARC member countries comprises of high rankings government officials, businessmen, eminent personalities and media personnel.

It will enter Nepal (Kakadbhitta) via Siliguri on 23rd March for three nights and four days of program.

Addressing a press conference organised by the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) on Tuesday, Chandi Raj Dhakal president of FNCCI said that the rally would help Nepal to facilitate business and promote tourism in SAARC countries.

“Our local chambers of commerce will welcome, participate and provide hospitality to the rally participants in their respected areas,” Dhakal said.

As Nepal has been witnessing series of strikes and protests, Dhakal also appealed political parties and groups not to call any shutdown and protests during these dates of the car rally in Nepal.

Speaking at the same program, Bodh Raj Niraula, joint secretary, Ministry of Education and Sports unveiled the names of the participants from Nepal.

The participants from media sector include; Vishnu Hari Dhakal, Udipta Singh Chettri, Jaysingh Shah , Durga Thapa , Hemanta Kafle and Surendra Thaha.

Similarly, there will be a four member participants from business communities.

Kush Kumar Joshi, vice-president of FNCCI said that there would be a half day seminar on “Energy Efficiency and Clean Development Mechanism” on 24th March as a side event of the rally.

Covering 1567 km of Nepal, the rally is scheduled to exit Nepal Via Mahendranagar on the 26th March 2007.

This biggest rally will conclude in Male of Maldives on the 13th April 2007 after traveling to Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, India and Srilanka.

The Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) is given the responsibility to implement this project in coordination with the concerned stakeholders of the member states as a public-private partnership program.