Professional accountants can play an important role in solving the south Asian economic crisis caused by the Ukraine war, dollar shortage, global fuel oil price hike and commodity transportation disruptions, experts said today.

They spoke at a press conference on the official premises of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB) in Dhaka.

At the event, the ICAB announced organising SAFA International Conference 2022 in Dhaka on October 15 along with organisations representing accounting and auditing professionals in South Asian countries.

Thirty foreign representatives from SAARC countries, including India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, will participate in the conference, the ICAB said in a statement.

The government is working to strengthen regional cooperation and enhance regional trade and connectivity for sustainable growth of the country, said ICAB President Shahadat Hossain.

The Padma multi-way bridge is a great example of multi-modal connectivity that will open up new opportunities for regional trade in the country, he said.

The conference will also be instrumental in international business cooperation and promotion of Bangladesh as an attractive investment destination, Hossain said.

ICAB believes these conferences and seminars with SAFA member countries will create great opportunities to exchange ideas, experience and building strong friendships with south Asian professional accountants.

The theme of this year's SAFA conference is "Regional Connectivity for Sustainable Growth". Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi is scheduled to inaugurate the conference at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka.

The ICAB organised the last SAFA Conference in 2019.