South Asia Economers’ Meet 2023 comes to a close at Don Bosco Vaduthala, Kochi, Kerala

Kerala, India: The South Asia Economers’ Meet 2023, hosted by the Salesian Province of Bangalore (INK), was held at Don Bosco Vaduthala, Kochi, Kerala, from February 24 to 26, 2023. Rev. Br. Jean Paul Muller, the Economer General, eleven economers from different provinces in India and Sri Lanka and the Director of BoscoNet participated in the South Asia Economers’ Meet 2023.

On February 24, the Holy Eucharist was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Jose Koyickal (Provincial, INK), followed by the official inauguration of the South Asia Economers’ Meet 2023 at 09.15 a.m. During the inauguration, Br. Muller released the book “Manual of Economic and Financial Policies” of the Salesian Province of the Sacred Heart (INK). The first session began at 10.30 a.m. and dealt with the topic of “GST and NGOs: Challenges faced by NGOs and FCRA amendment”, presented by Mr. Kamalesh (Auditor, M. Thomas & Co., Chennai). The second session focused on the topic of “Finance Bill 2023 and its Implications on NGOs”, presented by Mr. Don Martin (Auditor, M. Thomas & Co., Kochi). The meeting continued after lunch, during which the Economers from the Salesian Provinces of Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Panjim and Sri Lanka presented the “Best Practices from Provinces.”

On February 25, the Holy Eucharist was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Benny Alex from the Salesian Province of Guwahati (ING). The meeting began with the presentation on the “Best Practices from Provinces” by the Economers from the Salesian Provinces of New Delhi, Mumbai, Guwahati, Shillong and Dimapur.  Br. Jean Paul Muller, the Economer General, presented during the third session, where he made various proposals which suggested further research to deepen and make sustainable the management of a common pool resource, develop the governance environment and prepare future leaders from among the Salesian priests and community of lay people. This was followed by a presentation by Rev. Fr. Santhanam from BoscoNet. The South Asia Economers’ Meet 2023 concluded with the evaluation and concluding remarks presented by Rev. Fr. Samson Amaladoss from the Salesian Province of Tiruchy.