By Adnan Rafique
ISLAMABAD—President SAARC Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SAARC CCI) Tariq Sayeed has demanded of the governments of SAARC nations to adopt a comprehensive mechanism for trade facilitation, if they were desired to increase the pace of economic integration of South Asia.
He was speaking at the inaugural session of the Conference “Harnessing Business Opportunities for South Asian Economic Integration” inaugurated by S.M. Krishna, Minister of external Affairs, Government of India at New Delhi, on 17th November, 2009.
President SAARC CCI said that Trade Facilitation Mechanism has been ignored while negotiating SAFTA, which is contrary to the practices adopted by other contracting parties of other Regional Trade Agreements. “This is one of the reasons for sluggish improvement in intra-regional trade” he added.
He also urged upon the need for improving business to business contacts amongst the SAARC member countries and demanded for free movement of businessmen across the region by increasing SAARC Visa Exemption stickers from present 100 to 300 and issuance of 500 multiple entry Business Visa for all member countries.
He also urged upon the SAARC Member nations to improve trade facilities at land border, establishment of customs offices, bonded warehouse, allowing of trucks to enter in border areas to have access to roads, high ways, and implementation on Multimodal Vehicle Agreement, adoption of open sky policy, modernization of customs at ports, digital connectivity and inclusion of Services in SAFTA.
Mr. Sayeed stressed for decrease in Non- Tariff Barriers, referring Study done on Non-Tariff Barriers done by Asian Development and UNCTAD, which suggests mutual recognition of certificates on various standards.
He point out that Terrorism, Food security and Energy security asthe major challenges faced by South Asia, which need to be addressed through pooling up resources and synergizing collective efforts. Particularly a regional strategy is earnestly needed to cope with the challenges posed by terrorism in the region.
Responding to address by President SAARC CCI, Dr. Sheel Kant Sharma, Secretary General, SAARC said that proposals for increase in number of SVES from 100 to 300 was already included in the agenda of the forthcoming meeting of Immigration Authorities of SAARC countries, which will be addressed adequately.
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