Unity cry to strengthen SAARC ties

Ram Kumar Kamat

NEW DELHI: Path to rapid economic integration among South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) nations can be achieved only through greater unity and cooperation.

"United we stand. Divided we fall," was the message of Tariq Sayeed, president, SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, during a two-day seminar, organised by FICCI. Aptly titled 'Harnessing Business Opportunities for South Asian Economic Integration', the symposium aims to chart out a prosperous road map for the sub-continent.

"If Germany and France can bury their animosity for the progress of their region, why cannot Pakistan and India follow suit for the benefit of SAARC?” asked Sayeed.

“SAARC's economic progress has been moving at a snail's pace. It has moved from a paltry 3.2 per cent in 1980s to insignificant 5.5 per cent in 2008. Compare this to 58 per cent in NAFTA, 54 per cent in EU, 25 per cent in ASEAN and 22 per cent in COMESA,” he reasoned. He called for more investment across SAARC nations, and urged for simplification of various trade rules and better infrastructure to achieve the lofty economic goals.