By Tendar Tsering
IMAGEIMAGE DHARAMSHALA, April 19: The Tibetan Chamber of Commerce is currently holding its 6th annual General Body Meeting in the exile Tibetan headquarters of Dharamshala.
Addressing the inaugural function Wednesday, Kalon Tripa Dr Lobsang Sangay assured his full help and cooperation to the Chamber.
While acknowledging TCC for complying with the present Kashag’s policy of “unity, innovation and self-reliance,” Dr Sangay urged the Chamber to tie up with Tibetan vocational institutes and training centres in order to create job opportunities for young Tibetans.
“I am hopeful that by working closely with Tibetan vocational institutions, you will be able to create job opportunities for young Tibetans and benefit the Tibetan society,” Kalon Tripa said.
“China is supposed to be a socialist country but they have their own system of socialism with ‘Chinese characteristics,’ so let us have Tibetan business with ‘ethics of Buddhism,’” Dr Sangay said in a lighter vein.
Talking about future business prospects, the 43-year old Harvard law graduate also announced plans of setting up a Tibetan community bank in near future.
Later, speaking to Phayul, the president of the Chamber, Kesang Norbu said that the business body, if permitted, will embrace the opportunity to collaborate with ventures with the Central Tibetan Administration.
“We are gaining membership every year and there are plans in the pipeline to collaborate with other Chambers of Commerce in respective countries at the international level, which of course is difficult but not impossible,” Norbu said. “If our Central Tibetan Administration permits us to collaborate in setting up the community bank, we will fully embrace that opportunity.”
The Welfare Society Tibetan Chamber of Commerce was established in 2005 to undertake activities and steps to enhance and benefit the business interests of the Chamber’s members and the Tibetan, Himalayan region business and the general Tibetan community as a whole.
The Chamber also aims to support new and emerging Tibetan and Himalayan region entrepreneurs through interaction and cooperation within and outside the Chamber.
