The Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP), in collaboration with SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC), Dhaka, organized a Regional Workshop on Community based Non-wood Forest Product Enterprise Development:  A sustainable business model during 24-26 August 2017 in Thimphu, Bhutan.

Through this expert consultation, CIRDAP and SAC aimed to develop a regional project to be implemented in the region for the hilly population in South Asia, Southeast Asia and Pacific countries, Experts from seven SAARC Countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh. Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan) and three Southeast Asian Countries (Lao PDR, Myanmar and Philippines) and Fiji Islands from Pacific Countries participated in the Workshop.

The Workshop was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Secretary, Ministry of Agricultural Development, Royal Government of Bhutan on 24 August 2017 at a Local Hotel at Thimpu. The workshop came up with several recommendations including the issues to be covered in the regional initiatives