Update for the Month of February 2009

Date: 19 February, 2009
Venue: Bercos, A- Block Market, Preet Vihar, New Delhi

Governing members:

Mr. Sonam Topgyal, Chairman
Mr. Lobsang Ngodup, Vice Chairman
Mr. Dawa Rinchen, Gen. Secretary
Mr. Tsering Dorjee, Treasurer
Mr. Gyalnor Tsewang
Mr. Dorjee W. Dewatshang
Ms. Jamyang D. Gyari
Mr. Kunchok Gyatso

Advisors:

Mr. Kunsang Tanzin
Mr. Dorjee Kyibuk

At 11:00 AM, Tibetan Chamber of Commerce (TCC) Chairman Sonam Topgyal la welcomed the two TCC advisors Dorjee Kyibuk la and Kunsang Tanzin la and all the other board members who had come for the meeting.
Sonam Topgyal la updated all the participants about the activities carried by TCC in the last three months (Dec-Feb) which includes

1. Dharamsala visit to meet Kalon Tripa Samdhong Rinpoche, Kalmykia Prime Minister Mr. Valdimir B Sengleev and the other heads of CTA. During his visit he also met with the Tibetan businessmen in Dharamsala and requested them to join TCC. 15 new members joined TCC from Dharamsala.
2. Nepal visit to hold the investment seminar for the Kathmandu members as well as to request other Tibetan businessmen in Kathmandu to join TCC. 12 New members joined TCC from Kathmandu.
3. Meet Kalon Tempa Tsering la, Kunsang Tanzin la, Dorjee Kyibuk la, Choekyong Wangchuk la and many other personalities for advices and suggestions.
4. Letters were sent to various embassies of foreign countries in New Delhi, introducing TCC and its aims and objectives.
5. Support letter from Paljor Dept. and various Tibetan organizations were receive

Tibetan Chamber of Commerce has 69 membership in total.
After the update of the last three months action plan, the members present at the meeting discussed and shared their opinions and suggestions on what activities TCC should conduct, how TCC should select the activities and what points and activities should be included in the next three months (March-May) action plan.

Dawa Rinchen la stressed on the importance of strengthening the relationship with CTA and other Indian agencies and also to have projects and programs to provide exposure to the young Tibetan businessmen and entrepreneurs with visits to big Indian companies, factories to learn different aspects of business.
Kunchok Gyatso la added that fund for such projects and programs to give exposure to the young Tibetan can be applied and acquired through Social and Resource Development Fund (SARD) which is under Finance Dept. CTA.
Kunsang Tanzin la advised TCC board members to be committed and passionate and should decide on few key projects keeping in mind the main objectives with which TCC was started. He also said that after deciding on the projects, TCC should see how it will achieve the decided projects, what resources will be needed to do the projects effecitently, who will be responsible for the successful completion of the project. He stressed on having a strong system to achieve the targets/projects with tangible results. He also advised not duplicate or overlap projects carried about by other Tibetan organizations.
Dorjee Kyibuk la advised TCC to make sure that whatever projects and events TCC conducts, it should benefit the Tibetan Businesses and also stressed on the importance of doing business among the Tibetans and keeping the business within the Tibetan business section. He also advised TCC to conducts workshops and seminars to promote the practice of doing business among the Tibetans and its benefits in long run.
Gyalnor Tsewang la opined that TCC being a business organization should try not to indulge into political activities. He also stressed that TCC along with the regular projects should start few projects keeping in mind the long term benefits of the members. He also suggested of starting a company by interested members which will study and invest in various projects in India and other countries.
Lobsang Ndogup la said that TCC should provide exposure to the Tibetans about business prospects other than the regular business like restaurant, travels, exports etc. and said that before starting any project one should do thorough study and research on the project.

After the above discussion, TCC executive board members decided on the following targets to be achieved within the next three months.

1) Business Delegation: A delegation of TCC members will visit the Republic of Kalmykia to see the prospective and feasibility of the Tibetan Medicine project there and also to see other business opportunities. Any interested members can take part in the delegation; the expenses will have to be borne by the member him/herself.

2) Starting a Company: TCC office will study the various rules and regulation, terms and conditions of forming a company in India.