Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
The core Content Team our economy, industry, investing and personal finance reference articles.
EconomyWatch, Content Team
inShare
The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation or SAARC was created to promote economic integrity and cooperation among 7 South Asian nations namely India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives, and Sri Lanka. The Association was formed in 1985 with the aim to ensure social and economic development of the member countries. However, over the years it has been seen that SAARC mainly worked towards development of economic relationship among the SAARC nations. Attempts are also on to further trade relations with the member nations of ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) and the European Union. In spite of lying in the vicinity of one another, trading activities were restricted among the SAARC nations. Over the years, there has significant improvement in the trade relations among the seven SAARC members. The focus has been shifted to get access to the markets of the other members. Methods have also been devised to attract foreign direct
investments to strengthen economic infrastructures of the SAARC nations. All these initiatives point towards an improvement in the economic relationship among the 7 South Asian countries.
Despite the sincere attempts of the Association, there are several factors that stand in the way of economic integrity among the SAARC nations. The clashes between India and the neighboring countries have prevented the SAARC members to make the most of the economic benefits derived from the Association. This has prompted the South Asian countries to go for bilateral trading activities instead of getting involved in multilateral trade agreements. However, the Association is expected to take more proactive steps to improve the economic relationship among its members. Besides devising policies for economic integration, SAARC is supposed to function as a medium to facilitate discussions among the South Asian nations. Seminars and conferences are going to be helpful measures for promoting cross border trade and investment. As an aftermath of globalization, Indian government has resorted to open trade policy. The economic reforms of early 1990s have opened an array of challenges for the Indian entrepreneurs. The growth rate of the Indian economy was around 7% during the period from 1994-1997. The inflow of foreign fund also recorded substantial increase. All these resulted from the flexible economic policies adopted by the Indian government. The economic prosperity of India prompted the other SAARC members to seek resort to international trade as a platform for economic growth. Both Sri Lanka and Nepal have shown their interests to enhance intra regional trade. Bangladesh is also following the same trend. With the increased intra regional trading activities, the economic relationship among the SAARC nations is bound to be stronger in future.
2ndd
SOUTH ASIA - ARTICLES
#2270, 20 April 2007 Print Bookmark Email Facebook
Speakers: Ambassador I P Khosla, Former Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dr Amita Batra, Senior Fellow, Indian Council of Research in International Economics IP Khosla
ndia's policy in this regard is actually not very clear. Our policy makers tell us that the aim of Indian foreign policy is to ensure that our overall economic targets are achieved. The policy seems to suggest if one tempts the neighbours with economic inducements, political gains will follow. Presumably the idea is to offer economic inducements for political purposes. Possibly it could be a circular thing - economic inducement leading to political gains, which would create an atmosphere of peace leading to further economic gains. In the context of the 14th Summit, with neighbours (like Pakistan) insisting that politics has to come first, one is hoping that they would gradually see the great advantage coming to countries like Sri Lanka and Bangladesh through economic interactions and would put politics in the back-banner. Is SAARC a success?
ust the fact that there have been summits and leaders are meeting, provides opportunities for cooperation which otherwise do not
exist. It gives a chance for leaders and ministers to meet regularly, discuss and exchange views and even talk about bilateral relations. It is a positive element of SAARC. Civil Society has played a big role in SAARC. Regional think tanks are in existence and there are exchanges between artists, filmmakers, writers, singers, which is bound to have some effect in creating an atmosphere of regional cooperation.
he presentation looks at two broad perspectives: Economic Perspective and a Global Perspective. It looks at the combination of South Asia with West Asia and sees whether they could come together in a larger Free Trade Area. To get a region together there needs to be a common perception of threat and cooperation. The presentation aims to place South Asia in a global context and see what the 14th SAARC summit tried to achieve.
here is a paradigm change towards regional economic integration since 1990s. Traditionally Asian countries pursued trade liberalization through multilateral trading systems for the purpose of growth. This is due to the emergence of powerful blocs like the EU and NAFTA. About 60 percent of the total world trade today is carried out on a preferential basis; so those who are not part of any preferential bloc are going to suffer. There is also the risk of isolation from other groupings.
here is potential for regional economic integration (REI) in South Asia due to geographical, cultural, and historical proximity. There is huge economic potential as far as the region is concerned if trade barriers are removed. Trade complementaries is possible in areas such as textile, cotton, cereals, apparels, cane sugar, plastic and chemical goods hold intra-industry trade possibilities. There is also the possibility of efficient relocation of industries like the one that happened between India and Sri Lanka in case of tire industry.
predominant position in South Asia. India has always been a willing partner as far as bilateral or regional agreements are concerned. It is time that one highlights the 'giver' position of India in regional trade.
n case of SAFTA, which has been operational since July 2006, with the objective of maximizing regional potential for trade and development, there is no timetable specification as to when the list of sensitive items will ultimately disappear. The existing institutional arrangement is very much weak. Most of the trade in South Asia is taking place through informal routes, formalization of which is extremely important. Harmonization of standards and procedures in trade as well as services is required. There have also been no concrete measures taken on the question of connectivity. Liberalization of service sector was never a part of SAFTA, although there was a mention of it this time. SAFTA agreement further neglects the trade and investment nexus.
AARC has the potential to become a grouping of considerable economic benefit. One of the biggest concerns in REI in South Asia is that the smaller economies have a trade deficit vis--vis India. There is a possibility that if free trade is allowed this would be taken care of. It goes to the advantage of the small countries if trade barriers are removed. Apart from trade the other benefits of REI could be cross border water management, and a joint stand in WTO.
owerful countries like China, US and Japan are given observer status in SAARC. One view is that the presence of observers will modify India's voice in the regional organization, to prevent the exercise of monopoly over South Asian dynamics. Japan is getting more involved in South Asia. It has increased its contribution to the South Asia fund and is actively involved in Sri Lanka. Expansion of SAARC with the entry of Afghanistan in April 2007 has added discomfiture to Pakistan. Observer status to China has added discomfiture to India. With Iran as an observer, it would add discomfiture to the US. These developments question the relevance of the regional organization. Complexities of SAARC
levels mutually reinforce or cross cut each other. Structural weaknesses of SAARC need to be addressed to ensure positive developments. However, the cause for limited success of BIMSTEC is unclear. Earlier, the orthodoxy in SAARC blamed India and Pakistan for failure of regional cooperation under SAARC. Now, Indo-Pak talks are not discussed by other members. The Indo-Pak Composite Dialogue process has been ongoing for four years. However, it has had limited impact on SAARC. South Asian Identity
rigin of the term 'South Asia' needs to be discussed. It is a political term placed within the geographic framework. The idea behind the use of the term was to exclude India from the region. The boundaries of South Asia are not clearly demarcated. Questions have been raised on Burma and Tibet being included as part of South Asia. However, definitions are very problematic and reduce coherence. East Asia Summit
he East Asia summit has been discussed but there is no major substance in it. Countries are more interested in linking their respective economies with China. Lately, China has shown interest in establishing links with South Asia. However, India is uncertain on its policy of economic inducements, political gains or interests in East Asia. India will grow at eight percent and inflation will continue. However, this would not be a structural impairment. India's economic sustainability is questioned by China's growing economy. India does not have a vision for taking South Asia to East Asia. South Asian University
Singapore is blamed for its bilateral programme. ASEAN has a trade surplus with China, but India does not. However, with a growing manufacturing and services sector, India need not fear a trade deficit. A uniform opinion on the economic dominance of India in South Asia is questionable. India may have the potential for becoming a leading economy but her neighbours might not share the same view. Moreover, investments and services sector opening up are a contentious political issue in most South Asian countries. SAARC and Connectivity
oncern for economic growth is evident but the government has played a limited role in addressing these concerns. Sir Creek discussion between India and Pakistan has gained momentum only because of the EEZ in 2009. Economic exchanges between neighbours will continue but there will be no major peace dividends. Moreover, low level of free trade between India and Pakistan is due to political mistrust. Political failure in SAARC can be held responsible for its economic failure. SAARC Trade
ember countries have strengthened bilateral trade with each other. This has hampered regional trade agreements such as SAFTA. Also, it is not possible to always predict the success of a FTA for member countries. For example, when tariffs were cut between India and Sri Lanka, only copper trade increased between the two initially. India has felt the need to provide economic support to Bhutan for larger political concerns. However, this relationship is of a different nature and has existed prior to SAARC. India has not behaved like a strategic benign leader in the region, and is unsure of its priorities. An 8-9 percent growth rate has had limited impact on alleviation of poverty in India. Defence expenditure has importance but geopolitical perspectives are not always beneficial. If economy is given precedence it can improve relations between states. Expansion of SAARC adds additional sources of economic and commercial exchange. SAARC and Counterterrorism
n the 14th SAARC summit there was no mention of terrorism or adoption of a common approach to counter terrorism in the region.
SAARC should take up the issue of states promoting terrorism in the region. If there is a joint mechanism to counter terrorism, between India and Pakistan, then terrorism can be discussed on the regional table. However, action on this remains limited. Also, a regional organization cannot ignore global challenges like global warming, WMD proliferation and energy security. Concluding Remarks
AARC meetings are important as they are an indication of intention to cooperate. India's increased growth rate has attracted countries to the region to share economic benefits. This process will continue and the region will grow and prosper with India.
3rd
INDIAS TRADE EXPERIENCE WITH SAARC AND THE FUTURE OF SAFTA
Alok Kumar Pandey, Annapurna Dixit
ABSTRACT
ndia is also committed to ensure that the special and differential treatment provisions for developing countries under different WTO agreements are translated into specific enforceable dispensations. Currently, India has adopted WTO norms in these sectors i.e. Agriculture, Trade and Industry, Intellectual property and services. SAARC is moving towards a Free Trade Area and South Asia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) that is an initial step in the evolution of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation as a regional trade block and an economic union. SAFTA was signed on January 6, 2004, during the Twelfth SAARC Summit in Islamabad. But how favorably it will affect the intra-regional trade it is uncertain as economic trouble for India could be created through the Free Trade Agreements. In the present paper, an attempt has been made to depict Indias foreign trade with SAARC nations considering the structural changes in Indian Economy as well as WTO Arrangements in 1995 and also the future of the SAFTA.
KEYWORDS
Indian Economy,SAARC, SAFTA, International Trade
4rth
NEW DELHI: India has ratified the new Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements with SAARC nations taking forward its efforts to track and unearth black money. The revised treaties will come into effect from next fiscal, according to a government notification. "The central government hereby directs that all the provisions of the said agreement shall be given effect to in the Union of India with effect from 1st day of April, 2011," the official government Gazette notification said. According to the notification, the new agreement will apply to persons who are residents of one or more member states.
Ads by Google
5th
Portal:SAARC
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
SAARC portal
edit
The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is an economic and political organization of eight countries in Southern Asia. In terms of population, its sphere of influence is the largest of any regional organization: almost 1.5 billion people, the combined population of its member states. In the late 1970s,Bangladesh President Ziaur Rahman proposed the creation of a trade bloc consisting of South Asian countries. The Bangladeshi proposal was accepted by India, Pakistanand Sri Lanka during a meeting held in Colombo in 1981. In August 1983, the leaders adopted the Declaration on South Asian Regional Cooperation during a summit which was held in New Delhi. The seven South Asian countries, which also included Nepal, Maldives and Bhutan, agreed on five areas of cooperation: Agriculture and Rural Development Telecommunications, Science, Technology and Meteorology Health and Population Activities Transport* Human Resource Development
Afghanistan was added to the regional grouping at the behest of India on November 13, 2005, With the addition of Afghanistan, the total number of member states were raised to eight (8). In April 2006, the United States of America and South Korea made formal requests to be granted observer status. The European Union has also indicated interest in being given observer status, and made a formal request for the same to the SAARC Council of Ministers meeting in July 2006. On August 2, 2006 the foreign ministers of the SAARC countries agreed in principle to grant observer status to the US, South Korea and the European Union. On 4 March 2007, Iran requested observer status. (more) Show new selections Selected Article
edit
The economy of India is the fourth-largest in the world as measured by purchasing power parity (PPP), with a GDP of $3.3 trillion. When measured in USDexchange rates it is the tenth largest in the world, with a GDP of $691.8 billion. However India's huge population results in a relatively low per capita income ($3,100 at PPP). Services are the major source of economic growth in India today, though two-thirds of Indian workforce earn their livelihood directly or indirectly through agriculture. In recent times, India has also capitalised on its large number of highly-educated populace fluent in the English language to become a major exporter
ofsoftware services, financial services and software engineers. For most of India's independent history, a socialist inspired approach was adhered to, with strict government control and regulation on private sector participation, foreign trade andforeign direct investment. Since the early 1990s, India has gradually opened up its markets through economic reforms by reducing government controls on foreign trade and investment. The socio-economic problems India faces are the burgeoning population, growing inequality, lack of infrastructure, growingunemployment and growing poverty. (more...) Archive | Nominate an article... Selected Quotation
edit
edit
An error does not become truth by reason of multiplied propagation, nor does truth become error because nobody sees it. Truth stands, even if there be no public support. It is self sustained. Mahatma Gandhi Selected Picture
...that the The Grand Friday Mosque at Islamic Centre, an architectural landmark in Mal,Maldives, is named after Sultan Mohammed Thakurufaanu-Al-A'z'am?
...that Kashi (Benares) is the place where Lord Vishnu is supposed to have made an offering of an eye to Lord Shiva?
Kashi is also name of the person going to become a Legendary person in future from Bijapur district, which is in Karnataka,INDIA. ...that since the first Urdu language typewriter was created in 1911, the Urdu keyboard layout has evolved to accommodate the needs of the digital age? ...that notated Bengali writer Rajnarayan Basu was a tutor of Asia's firstNobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore?
...that Nepal receives US$50 million a year through the Gurkha soldiers who serve in the Indian and British armies and are highly esteemed for their skill and bravery? Selected Member Country
edit
[hide]
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Maldives
Nepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
Australia
China
European Union
Iran
Japan
Mauritius
Myanmar
South Korea
United States
South Africa
Shortcut:
WP:PSL
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (Sinhalese: , Tamil: ; known as Ceylon before 1972) is an island nation in South Asia, located about 31 kilometers (18 mi) off the southern coast of India. Originally known as Heladiva, it is home to around twenty
million people. Sri Lanka is a strategic naval link between West Asia and South East Asia and has been a centre of Buddhist religion and culture from ancient times. Today, Sri Lanka is a multi-religious and multi-ethnic nation, with a fifth of the population following faiths other than Buddhism notably Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. The Sinhalese community forms the majority of the population (around 80%), with Tamils, who are mostly concentrated in the north and east of the island, forming the largest ethnic minority. Other communities include the Muslim Moors and Malays as well as Burghers. Famous for the production and export of tea, coffee, rubber and coconuts, Sri Lanka boasts a progressive and modern industrial economy. The natural beauty of Sri Lanka's tropical forests, beaches and landscape, as well as its rich cultural heritage make it a world famous tourist destination. After over two thousand years of rule by local kingdoms, parts of Sri Lanka were colonized by Portugal and the Netherlands beginning in the 16th century, before the control of the entire country was ceded to the British Empire in 1815. During World War II Sri Lanka served as an important base for Allied forces in the fight against theJapanese Empire. A nationalist political movement arose in the country in the early 20th century, with the aim of obtaining political independence, which was eventually granted by the British after peaceful negotiations in 1948. Since then Sri Lanka has struggled in maintaining a liberal democracy and stunted economic progress due to the ongoing conflict between the Sri Lankan government and a separatist militant group known as the Tamil Tigers in the northeastern parts of the country. More about Sri Lanka ... At a glance
edit
Member Country Afghanistan Bangladesh Bhutan Republic of India Maldives Nepal Pakistan Sri Lanka
Capital Kabul Dhaka Thimpu New Delhi Mal Kathmandu Islamabad Colombo Selected Map
edit
This 1907 map of Eastern Bengal clearly shows the spread of Bengali culture towards the east, encompassing modern Bangladesh, Assam,Tripura, Mizoram, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. Today's West Bengallies to the west of this region, forming the eastern bottleneck of India, stretching from the Himalayas in the north to the Bay of Bengal in the south. The state has a total area of 88,752 km. The Darjeeling Himalayan hill region in the northern extreme of the state belongs to the eastern Himalaya. This region contains Sandakfu (3,636 m) the highest peak of the state. The narrow Terai region separates this region from the plains, which in turn transitions into the Ganges delta towards the south. The Rarh regionintervenes between the Ganges delta in the east and the western plateau and high lands. A small coastal region is on the extreme south, while theSundarbans mangrove forests form a remarkable geographical landmark at the Ganges delta.
Map credit: Astrokey44
Siddhrtha Gautama (Sanskrit; Pali: Siddhttha Gotama) was a spiritual teacher from ancient India and the founder of Buddhism. He is universally recognized by Buddhists as the Supreme Buddha (Sammsambuddha) of our age. The time of his birth and death are uncertain: a majority of 20th-century historians date his lifetime fromcirca 563 BCE to 483 BCE, but some more recent scholars have suggested dates around 410 or 400 BCE
for his death. This alternative chronology, however, has not yet been accepted by other historians. Gautama, also known as Shakyamuni (sage of the Shakyas, in Pali"akamui"), is the key figure in Buddhism, and accounts of his life, discourses, and monastic rules were summarized after his death and memorized by thesangha. Passed down by oral tradition, the Tripitaka, the collection of discourses attributed to Gautama, was committed to writing about 400 years later. Siddhartha was born in Lumbini, Nepal. His father was King Suddhodana, the chief of the Shakya nation, one of several ancient tribes in the growing state ofKosala; Gautama was the family name. His mother, Queen Maha Maya(Mydev) and Suddhodana's wife, was a Koliyan princess. (more...) Archive | Nominate a biography... Wikipedia in South Asian Languages
edit
(Bengali) (Kannada)
(Hindi)
(Telugu) (Urdu)
Selected Destination
edit
Mal (Dhivehi: ), (pronounced: "Maa-lay") population 81,647 (2004), is the capital of the Republic of Maldives located at the southern edge of North Male' Atoll Kaafu Atoll. Traditionally it was the King's Island from where the ancient Maldive Royal dynasties ruled and where the palace was located. Formerly it was a walled city surrounded by fortifications and gates (doroshi). The Royal Palace (Gan'duvaru) was destroyed along with the picturesque forts (kotte) and bastions (buruzu), when the city was remodelled under Ibrahim Nasir's rule. Although Mal is geographically located in Male' Atoll, Kaafu Atoll, administratively it is not considered part of it. A commercial harbour is located in the Island. It is the heart of all commercial activities in the country. Many government buildings and agencies are located on the waterfront. Mal International Airport is on adjacent Hulhule Island which includes a seaplane base for internal transportation. Several land reclamation projects have expanded the harbour. Mal is located at 410' North, 7330' East (4.1667, 73.5). Mal was struck by the tsunami that swept across the western coast of Sumatra on December 26, 2004. It was affected by the Indian Ocean earthquake which followed with the waves flooding two-thirds of the city. The earthquake and subsequent tsunamis reportedly killed over 220,000 people around the rim of the Indian Ocean. (more) Archive | Nominate a destination...
Related portals
edit
Afghanistan Bangladesh Bhutan India Maldives Nepal Pakistan Sri Lanka Australia China (PRC) European Union Iran Japan Mauritius South Korea United States South Africa
6th