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The Third Annual General Meeting of W.S Tibetan Chamber of Commerce at Dharamshala.

On the 6th of March , 2010 the W.S Tibetan Chamber of Commerce (TCC) held its third  Annual General meeting (AGM) at CTA Staff Mess,Gangchen Kyishong in Dharamshala (HP).


Honorable Kalon Tripa (Prime Minister) Prof. Samdhong Rimpoche graced the AGM as the Chief Guest, also had the presence of Mr. Atul Fulzale,SP Kangra Distt (Government of India), Tibetan parliament  Chairman Mr.Pempa Tsering, Paljor Kalon Mr. Tsering Dhondup,  Secretaries of various departments, Directors of NGO and delegations from Barcelona Chamber of Commerce on first day as honourable Guests.  Almost 60 members from different parts of India, Switzerland and Russia attended the meeting with much enthusiasm.



TCC Chairman Mr. Sonam Topgyal  welcomed the Chief Guest and all the participants present at the meeting and  thanked all of them for their sincere contribution as he believe that everyone have made big  sacrifices  to be here.  Chairman presented the Annual Report and claimed that without the support and active participation of the four executive committee members and office bearers it would not have been possible to organize such an event .Chairman also highlighted a concern over not active participation from some of the governing body members which sometime makes us fall short of minimum quorum for the meetings.

TCC Treasurer Mr. Tsering Dorjee presented the Financial report and explained about the growth of Tibetan Chamber of Commerce membership by almost 200% and as on date of having finance stability. He further requested for more support from the members without expecting immediate return of benefit to individuals. 



The Honorable Chief Guest Kalon Tripa (Prime Minister) Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche explained about the importance of business ethics by following the localization concept rather than globalization approach. He also explained about the price concession by removing the unnecessary middleman who does not play any role in value addition rather than result to cost addition. He said that this could enable the actual producer to get higher price and eliminate the exploitation. Such business concept could be welcomed. This was backed by the example of how 2 paisa tea was being sold at 50 Paisa on a genuine statistic carried out officially. He further spoke on the adopting the modern technique in developing the quality and creativity of the product in creating variation of product. He exemplified such by his past experience of making the 3x6 ft (Sumdug) carpet during the 1960’s in the monastery that didn’t go for any other size production.

Kalon Tripa Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche is a man of vision as he was the first one to speak about the concept “SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL” in the first meeting of TCC formation in the year 2005. Today this mantra is very seriously followed by the Obama administration to revive and base their future concept of American economy. Obama spoke in February 2010 in one of the meeting using same punch line “SMALL is BEAUTIFUL” and allocated almost 30 billion Dollars to bailout only for the small business.



After the Chief Guest addressed, Mr.FernandoTurro the Chairman of Contratas Y Obras company and a member of Barcelona Chamber of Commerce gave a speech. He began with the word Tashi Delek and further explained that he was overwhelmed by the reception he received and said that he has faith and trust in the Tibetans character and ethic which is very important for him to do any business. He said that we should not do business at the cost of destroying the environment. He was keen to tie up with the Tibetan Business man and also offered to do any social construction work as part of his corporate social responsibility. He concluded with the word Thug ji chey"Thank You'.



Mr. Dawa, the General secretary gave the vote of thanks to the Chief Guest and other honourable guests and concluded the first half of the day. Lunch for all was prepared at the Chithab (Staff Mess).

2nd Half of the Day began at 2.45 pm by all the members and foreign guests meeting. The Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament Mr. Penpa Tsering was so humble that he personally showed us the various section of the parliament and explained us in detail from the first representative group in 1960 where H.H.Dalai Lama began the process of democratization of giving the power to the people. He further introduced us to the parliament meeting hall and explained the special characteristics of the Tibetan Parliament.



We then had a group picture with the Speaker.  At 4 pm, members once again gathered in the meeting hall to have a discussion with the honourable Finance Minister to improve understanding between TCC and the Finance Ministry of Tibetan exile government.



The Honourable Finance Minister spoke on how important this Chamber is and the initial objective of setting of the Tibetan Chamber of Commerce was to be an independent organization which could help in developing the socio economic condition and the approach of the Tibetan community towards the mainstream commerce activity. He further thanked all for coming and also spoke how the present executive of TCC have maintained a close communication with the Finance Ministry to give whatever moral support or knowledge transfer was possible to the Tibetan chamber of Commerce. Then he asked if anyone have a question or suggestion.

Mr. Thinly from Russia shared his opinion on how Tibetan Finance Dept. can take initiative to have Tibetan business delegation to accompany during the visit of the Prime Minister and His holiness the Dalai Lama. The Honourable Finance minister replied that such suggestion have came up and effort  is on but since you all know that there is a system which is existing and to change that would take time.

Mr. Gyalnor Tsewang requested that the government is like a mother and it should not leave the child until its two feet is very firm. The Honourable Minister said that the main aim and objective of taking care of every Tibetan citizen and any Tibetan organization is never forgotten or given up by the Tibetan Exile government. The whole idea is that the NGO should not become government dependent.  



Mr. Thupten Paljor explained the importance of how we must come together and pool the money to do a bigger business. He said that it is not possible to do business only with your own money . He said that he is already in many ongoing businesses such as making chain Hotel and infrastructure based business like  iron and steel, cement etc.

Mr. Utse Ugen said that it is important to have public private partnership and therefore we must keep good relationship with the government and moreover we must have a list of all the youth who are educated and not employed. Then we should ask these youth to give a proposal so that we can get some intelligent idea on that idea the successful entrepreneur lacking ideas should invest and start a joint venture. He further suggested that the big land in Tibetan settlements should be permitted to be used by the investors so that there could be employment generated. To this the honourable Minister said that such approach to youth will be very useful and good and he welcomes it, he further answered that regarding the usage of the land, first one must bring the proposals and according to the situation we will make the necessary approach.

Mr. Dawa Rinchen raised an issue about the limitation of RC holder in doing business as it makes one very immobile and extra effort to take the clearance of the fund etc. So what government can do? Honourable Minister replied that that there are many hazard as a refugee status but at the same time there are many positive benefits also. He then said that we are in India with a status of foreign guest so we need to follow all the regulation which any foreigners follow. Here the government cannot do anything but the Indian government has been very kind and gracious to us in many ways. The discussion went beyond the designated time frame and Honorable Minister had to leave so we concluded with the last opinion from Mr. Senon Dorjee of Nepal who explained that the Chamber of commerce is a platform to promote its members and broaden their vision. Chamber is not supposed to do business and make project. Chamber can encourage doing business and introducing the useful manpower within the chamber amongst them and reminding the members of the greater responsibility of community development. To this everyone clapped. After that, General secretary gave the vote of thanks by requesting for the continuous support from the Honourable Minister. Day ended with an announcement for an audience with H.H. Dalai Lama.

DAY TWO
Morning everyone gathered at the Temple around 10:45 am in traditional Tibetan dress. Around 11:30 we were asked to move to the main open space in front of the His Holiness the Dalai Lama residence. His holiness had just driven in for a Lunch break after giving a teaching to public whole morning. His Holiness asked us how many of us are here and Mr. Dawa Rinchen (General Secretary) said around 60. His holiness immediately asked us to stand around him on the stairs and make a photograph. He then asked what you have done.  Mr. Sonam Topgyal,Chairman immediately handed over the Annual report and very briefly said that this year we began our relationship with the Chamber of Commerce in Europe and we have two members representative from Barcelona Chamber of Commerce. His Holiness immediately said very well and gave us a speech of working hard and work as team. He further gave an example of a Tibetan Tent maker and said that we should promote our traditional expertise. He said that success should not result to making individual development by making more jewelries instead it would be more good if we think of community development. He further thanked the foreign delegation for supporting the Tibetan Chamber of Commerce.



Chairman then presented the Tibetan Chamber of Commerce souvenir to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and explained that the phrase on the souvenirs “Thab Chung Chung, Mey Tsapo” is the phrases which he has adviced during the first audience to TCC in 2005. He was impressed and said very good. Then the rest of the souvenirs we have handed over to his securities for the blessing for further distribution to TCC members.

At 1 pm, all the members met at the hall of Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamsala for a Lunch and after the lunch at 1.30 pm the program continued further with the workshop by Mrs. Sunita Raut an independent consultant of Sweden Chamber of Commerce. The workshop was successful and it was appreciated by every participants the way it was conducted. The few projects has came up during the worhshop which we could be ventured jointly. The Project proposal shall reach to the TCC office very soon. All those who are interested to know the project could contact the Tibetan Chamber of Commerce.



At 4:30 pm, members gathered to give their opinion on the Financial and Anural report 2010 and the vision of TCC for year 2010. Everyone was very concerned about the chamber grow to new heights and was fully involved with the discussion.It was last till 6:30 pm which was not enough time to everyone but due to the time limitation, discussion had to end up with the following action to be implemented ASAP.

1) TCC to have its own office.
2) Have a highly efficient CEO and staff by giving better salary.
3) Fund for the new office and salary increment to be raised by the members on the basis of having regional member’s contribution.The regional contribution should be fixed desposite in a bank and the interest shall be paid to TCC.
4) Working committee would be formed at different region to overcome the problem of making the decision and developing project on time which could also protect the interest of the regional members better and enable to grow membership at 30% rate.



5) Resignation of the old Governing body member Mr.Norsang of Latengonline was accepted and in his place Mr.Senon Dorjee of Senon carpet Industries Pvt. Ltd was unanimously elected as new governing body member.
6) Joint venture project to be initiated. All those who proposed for the joint investment shall give the joint venture project proposal to the TCC office ASAP. TCC shall inform all the members within one week of the project received.
7)TCC shall initiate workshop, seminar and meetings to encourage unemployed Youth and Entrepreneurship.
8) Member photo indetity card to be made.
9)Memorandum of article of association copy to be given to all the members.
10) Start a magazine on yearly basis and later on half yearly basis.
11) TCC will be giving an advertisement on yearly basis which we allocate the budget.

Everyone endorsed the above points unanimously and meeting was closed by the Chairman
with General secretary words of thanks.



Immediately after the meetings,we started our Gala Dinner which was attended by the eight European Union delegations. They were the members of European Economic and Social committee. They had promised to support TCC by giving training with their expertise, fund for project and hold an entrepreneurship meet in different parts of Europe.They have also promised to introduce TCC to different Chamber of Commerce and building a basic infrastructure of Tibetan Chamber of commerce.

Apart from EU delegation, the Gala Dinner was further honored in the presence of the honourable speaker of the Tibetan parliament, secretaries of the Tibetan government office and head of various NGO.

The Tibetan Traditional music and Tibetan dance (Shabdo) was presented by Thangthong Lugar during the Gala dinner.