SIGNIFICANCE OF SAARC IN TWENTY FIRST CENTURY

Presented By:
Ashish Pundir A01

Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation

Formally came into existence in 1985 with the adoption of its Charter at the first Summit in Dhaka (7- 8 December 1985). Seven South Asian countries Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka Other regional experiences highly successful Strengthen their competitive position

Areas of Cooperation
(21 - 23 April, 1981) First meeting of Foreign Secretaries in Colombo Pursue cooperation in five broad areas Agriculture Rural development Telecommunications Meteorology, and Health and population services

Objective

Acceleration of economic growth, Social progress and cultural development in the region, Promotion of active collaboration and mutual assistance in the economic, social, cultural, technical and scientific fields and Strengthening of cooperation among the Member States in international forum on matters of common interest

The SAARC Secretariat

Established in Kathmandu on 16 January 1987. Coordinate and monitor the implementation of SAARC activities, service the meetings of the Association and serve as the channel of communication between SAARC and other international organizations Comprises the Secretary General, seven Directors and the General Services Staff.

Administrative setup

Summits held annually, represented by head of the states The Council of Ministers comprising Foreign Ministers, meets at least twice a year Formulating policy, reviewing progress of regional cooperation, identifying new areas of cooperation The Committee on Economic Cooperation consisting of Secretaries of Commerce oversees regional cooperation in the economic field

Different Divisions

Agriculture and Rural Development Division Environment and Science and Technology Division Economic, Trade and Finance Division Social Affairs Division Information and Publications Division Energy, Tourism Division Human Resource Development, Transport and Treaty Division

Committee on Economic Cooperation (CEC)

Implementation of specific measures, policies and programmes to strengthen and enhance intra-regional cooperation in the fields of trade and economic relations. Its specific functions include Analyzing inter-regional and global developments Envolving joint strategies and common approaches at international forums; Recommending policies and measures for promoting intra-regional trade,

SAPTA

South Asian Preferential Trade Arrangement Deals with Tariffs, Paratariffs, Non-Tariff Measures and Direct Trade Measures In December 1991, the Sixth Summit held in Colombo member countires agreed to formulate an agreement to establish a SAARC Preferential Arrangement (SAPTA) by 1997. Agreement on SAPTA was signed on 11 April 1993 and entered into force on 7 December 1995

Current Issues

Working toward creation of SAFTA Leading subsequently, towards a Customs Union, Common Market and Economic Union. Technical Committee on Transport Agreement on Investment Agreement on avoidance of double taxation Standards, quality and control group

Thank You..