What is SAARC ?

Abbreviation of South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation Founded in 1985 by Zia ur Rehman For solve the problems of Asian countries Organization have eight Member countries now Headquarters are in Kathmandu and Nepal

History of SAARC
Concept 1st adopted by Bangladesh in 1977 Under the administration of Zia ur Rehman In late 1970s SAARC nations agreed upon the creation of a trade bloc Foreign secretaries of member countries met 1st time in Colombo in April 1981

Members of SAARC
Afghanistan Bangladesh Bhutan India Maldives Nepal Pakistan Sri lanka

Objective of SAARC
To improve the life style and welfare of people of member countries Develop the region;

Economically Socially

Culturally

Provide opportunity to people live in dignity To enhance the self reliance of member countries Provide conductive climate for creating and enhancing mutual trust

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To enhance the cooperation with other developing economies To enhance the mutual assistance among the member countries in the areas of;

Economic
Social Cultural Technical field

To extend cooperation to other trade blocks

Acceleration of economic growth

Saarc secretariat

Establish in Kathmandu on 16 January 1987 inaugurated by Late King Birendra bin bikram shah Nepal Headed by a Secretary General appointed by the Council of Ministers from Member Countries For three years term The Secretariat
coordinates and monitors implementation of activities

prepares for and services meetings

serves as a channel of communication between the

Association and its Member States

Activities of secretariat

Regional center of SAARC

SAARC Agricultural Centre (SAC), Dhaka SAARC Meteorological Research Centre (SMRC), Dhaka SAARC Tuberculosis Centre (STC), Kathmandu SAARC Documentation Centre (SDC), New Delhi SAARC Human Resources Development Centre (SHRDC), Islamabad SAARC Coastal Zone Management Centre (SCZMC), Maldives

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SAARC Information Centre (SIC), Nepal SAARC Energy Centre (SEC), Pakistan SAARC Disaster Management Centre (SDMC), India SAARC Forestry Centre (SFC), Bhutan SAARC Cultural Centre (SCC), Sri Lanka

Organization structure of SAARC

The council of Ministers

Represented by the heads of foreign minister of government Highest policy making body Council meets twice in a year or more if necessary

Function of council ministers

Standing committees
Programming committee Technical committee They consist of foreign secretaries of government Uncertain meeting held when ever it is necessary

Charter of SAARC
Charter of Saarc signed in Dhaka on 8th December 1985 Social charter of Saarc signed in Islamabad on 4th January 2004

SAARC SUMMIT
1st Dhaka in Dec1985 2nd Bangalore in Nov1986 3rd in Kathmandu in Nov1987 4th Islamabad in Dec 1988 5th male in Nov1990 And so on many summit occur in different

countries

SAARC PREFERENTIAL TRADING AGREEMENT SAPTA was signed on 11 April 1993 Entered in to force on 7 December 1995 with the desire of Saarc member To promote and sustain mutual trade and economic cooperation with in the Saarc region Basic principle of SAPTA