‘Political will must for economic integration’

SAARC business conclave discusses regional economic cooperation.

KARACHI:

Political leaders of South Asia need to take bold initiatives and exhibit greater political will if they want economic integration between member countries of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) and foster regional cooperation, a Pakistani delegate said.

Former finance and foreign minister Sartaj Aziz was speaking at a session on “Generating political will for economic integration of South Asia” at the 4th Saarc Business Leaders Conclave in Kathmandu, Nepal, says a press release issued on Thursday.

Former Saarc Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Tariq Sayeed said the private sector of South Asia was already involved in promoting economic cooperation in the region and asked the governments to provide a business enabling environment to foster economic cooperation. He said non-resolution of political issues was the biggest hurdle in the way of integration process.

The speakers were of the opinion that South Asia had poor connectivity in every sector. “We have a poor transport network to support trade and commerce when compared to other regions,” said SM Muneer, President Indo-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.



Published in The Express Tribune, September 23^rd, 2011.