Political instability, lack of logistical preparations and several other reasons have further delayed the 18th Saarc Summit, leaving officials in a fix to confirm the date
Political instability, lack of logistical preparations and several other reasons have further delayed the 18th Saarc Summit, leaving officials in a fix to confirm the date of the event to be held in Nepal.
Earlier, Nepal promised to hold the summit by the first quarter of 2014 but now officials say the summit has been deferred till the first half of December. The 17th summit was held in Maldives in 2011 and Nepal is holding the next after a three-year interval. In 2002, Nepal hosted the regional gathering three years behind the schedule. Saarc summits normally take place every year.
Though there is no official decision on the date of the summit that Nepal needs to propose during the Saarc Council of Ministers meeting in February 17-20 in Maldives, officials say Nepal needs at least nine months to prepare.
“It’s indeed a big event for us and we need special preparations for its success. At a time when the [government] change is in the offing, we are in a dilemma too,” said a senior Foreign Ministry official.
Besides paperwork, it takes up to eight months to procure luxury cars necessary for the meet. Once the date is fixed, the government will invite global tenders for the delivery of the vehicles.
The condition of the roads in Kathmandu is another deterrent, needing urgent repair before the summit may be held.
According to an internal report, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs needs to purchase at least 21 Mercedes Benz cars, including eight super luxury bullet proof ones, for regional VVIPs and VIPS. According to the preliminary estimate, the total expenditure of the summit is Rs 800 million.
For the convention, the ICC at Baneshwor would be a suitable venue, which has been occupied by the Constituent Assembly.
The government has not decided whether to change the venue or vacate the ICC for the summit for a while.
For retreat, the ministry has proposed to take the dignitaries somewhere outside the Kathmandu valley.
Also for promotion of trade and tourism, the Foreign Ministry plans to hold a trade fair in Kathmandu, and a junket for the spouses of VVIPs and VIPs.
At least eight committees are necessary for preparation at various levels. The main committee is headed by the prime minister while others will be led by ministers and officials. The subcommittees will take care of matters such as security, publication and media.
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