1. SAARC and south Asian trade
Arpan Shrivastava
Asst. Professor , IBMR IPS Academy, Indore

2. Introduction
SAARC established in 1985.Member countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka.
Core objectives:
To promote and strengthen collective self-reliance among the countries of South Asia
To contribute to develop mutual trust, understanding and appreciation of one another’s problem
To promote active collaboration and mutual assistance in the economic, social, cultural, technical and scientific fields
To strengthen cooperation with other developing countries
To strengthen cooperation among themselves in international forums on matters of common interest
To cooperate with international and regional organizations with similar aims and purposes.

3. Progress so far
SAARC celebrated 25 years of existence at its 16th summit held on April 2010 in the Bhutanese capital, Thimphu.
Formed instruments of regional cooperation
South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA)
Convention on Fighting Terrorism
SAARC Developmental Goals (SDGs)
SAARC Development Fund
SAARC Food Bank
Observer states include US, Japan, China.
Regional agreement on ‘Trade in Services’
Institutions need to address issues of empowerment, and formulate appropriate implementation and monitoring strategies

4. South Asian Trade
Intraregional trade is less than 5% of total trade in South Asia (World Bank, 2009)
Presence of Tariff and non-tariff barriers
Substantial potential for trade due to high population density and geographical proximity.
Trade essential to achieve investment, generate employment and mitigate poverty in the region.

5. Intra SAARC trade : exports
Growth in Intra-regional Flow of Exports (2003-5) in percent
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Maldives
Nepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
19.4
57.4
8.4
10.9
25.9
5.4
13.5
11.2
19.2
46.6
13.0
25.1
6.3
-19.7
15.5
59.8
58.5
-10.7
-15.2
57.9
-6.6
-13.9
41.8
-9.1
14.3
13.3
-40.2
11.4
Source: Direction of Trade, 2006 IMF

6. Intra SAARC trade: imports
Growth in Intra-regional Flow of Imports (2004-5) in percent
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Maldives
Nepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
86.1
15.3
-50.0
-19.7
25.3
4.3
38.7
11.2
32.8
15.5
40.1
59.0
28.8
59.8
22.5
10.4
8.4
19.2
-13.9
-40.2
16.6
-19.6
64.9
-33.5
58.5
10.8
35.9
26.4
0.0
36.9
Source: Direction of Trade, 2006 IMF

7. Indo-Pak Trade Indo-Pak trade: % of Pakistan’s total exports: 1.93
% of Pakistan’s total imports: 3.74
% of India’s total exports: 1.13
% of India’s total imports: 0.31
(ITC, 2006)

8. Indo-Pak Trade
Exports
US $mn
(Pakistan to India) 45 58 95
180
Imports
(India to Pakistan)
206
287
521
689
Total
251
345
616
869
Pakistan indicates that NTBs need to be tackled first before it grants MFN status to India.
Indo-Pak trade is being done on the basis of a positive list.
Pakistan’s exports to India have grown, however imports from India have grown at a faster pace.

9. Trade Facilitation Measures
Comparison of different regions in the world:
Indicators
South Asia
ASEAN
NAFTA
EU25
World
No. of documents for export
8.38
7.69
4.50
4.82
7.22
Days for Export
32.88
29.13
20.50
28.80
Cost to Export (US$ per container)
1,221.10
732.50
1,101.50
875.30
1,232.00
No. of documents for import
11.31
9.31
5.17
5.64
8.68
Days for import
41.50
29.81
13.17
13.73
32.96
Cost to Import (US$ per container)
1,449.40
834.30
1,569.50
947.60
1,431.00
Source: World Trade Indicators 2008

10. SAFTA- Key Features…
South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) signed at the 12th SAARC Summit in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Build on SAARC Preferential Trade Agreement (SAPTA)
Enhanced scope of regional trade dialogue to include competition, trade and transportation, harmonization of legislation, banking procedures, forex regulations and immigration processes.
Trade Liberalisation Programme (TLP): reduce tariffs and eliminate restrictions on quantity of goods traded.
Trade not only in goods, but in services and investment too!

11. SAFTA – Key features
Non-LDC member states required to reduce existing tariffs to 20 percent within 2 years and then to 0–5 percent in the next 5 years.
LDC member countries required to reduce existing tariffs to 30 percent in 2 years and then to 0–5 percent in the next 8 years.
Rules of Origin: ensure domestic value addition.
Encouraged negotiations for setting ceiling on negative list by each member country.

12. SAARC SAARC-Current Observers Australia China Burmah European Union
Iran
Japan
Mauritius
South Korea
United States
Intention Expressed
Indonesia
Russia
South Africa

13. UNIQUE FEATURES The oldest ancient living civilizations
World’s sleeping giant-started moving
People of all religions, faiths, ideologies live
Economic force-common market
The largest irrigated area
The second largest railway network
The largest English speaking area
The largest labour force: 425m people

14. Challenges Political tensions and conflicts in the South Asia region.
Obstructions to free movement of people, labor, currency and other forms of capital.
Presence of protectionist trade barriers.
Multiple bilateral/regional issues or agreements aggravate complexity of issues.

15. CHALLENGES Poverty Unemployment Literacy Governance Education
Development
Enabling environment
Defense expenditure

16. Way Forward…
Need to move beyond mere framework and policy documents to include practical provisions.
Official dialogue between South Asian governments through conferences, meetings and seminars.
Advocacy and Outreach campaign: civil society organizations to encourage policy dialogue with South Asian parliamentarians.
Develop network of South Asian research institutions focusing on regional trade.

17. Way Forward Ease of travel restrictions between countries.
Expand positive list of trade items.
Explicit requirement to reduce negative lists over time (instead of 4 year review).
Explicit requirement to reduce NTBs.
Make rules of origin flexible.
Fight against terrorism: regional peace essential to encourage environment conducive to domestic and foreign investment.
Economic integration can in turn, pave the way for regional security and social development.

18. Thank You!