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SAFTA


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Getting SAARCastic
6-Dec-2005     Hard News
While the temptation exists to conclude as many FTAs as possible - in line with the global trend - India's aspirations to become a global power will not amount to much unless it defends its exclusive zone of influence in South Asia against China.
India, look ahead: A two-pronged strategy for boosting trade
17-Nov-2005    
The current state of play in the Doha Round negotiations underlines the importance of stronger bilateral and regional trading agreements for India. As of now, India has concluded trading agreements with Sri Lanka, Thailand and Singapore. In the regional context, Safta and Bimstec are yet to really takeoff.
SAARC committee of experts to meet on FTA issue
8-Sep-2005     Xinhua
The Committee of Experts of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) have decided to meet for yet another round and forward the outstanding issues of South Asia Free Trade Area (SAFTA) to political level for final decision, a Nepali government official said Wednesday.
One for Indo-Pak peace road: Free trade zone
15-Aug-2005     Indian Express
In a comprehensive approach to Indo-Pak engagement in Jammu and Kashmir, Former Pak Finance Minister Burki is calling for a sub-regional trade arrangement under the South Asia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA).
Tariff rows may delay launch of SAFTA
19-Jul-2005     News from Bangladesh
Bangladesh, Pakistan and India continue to get locked in the niceties of negotiations on exchange of tariff concessions, particularly for competing products such as textiles at a time when less than six months are left for the agreement on South Asia Free Trade Area (Safta) of the seven-member South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) to come into operation.
Longing for modest gains from SAFTA
26-Jun-2005     Financial Express
Much though economic integration is desirable, the SAARC nations will first have to create a politically harmonious subcontinent, and that is a formidable task. The ball is now in India's court. It must take frantic efforts to wipe out elements of mistrust, shun big brotherly attitude and help restore confidence among its neighbours.
Feeding on fears
12-May-2005     News International
We need to guard against attempts by vested interests to discourage South-South trade and to divide the economic unity of South Asia.
South Asian economic cooperation
28-Sep-2004    
The three-day meeting of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) sub-group on Investment and Arbitration beginning today in Kathmandu seeks to further the understanding among member states to set up an investment regime and adopt a dispute settlement mechanism in order to increase economic cooperation throughout the region.
Common Quality Norms Are Vital In SAFTA Trade
26-May-2004    
Countries across the globe are realising the importance of regional trading blocks. The South Asian countries too have now felt the urgency of such an arrangement.
SAFTA Is On Track, But FTA...?
11-May-2004    
When the seven SAARC members signed the free trade agreement (SAFTA) in January 2004, there was some scepticism regarding its progress and implementation, given that SAARC itself had been mired under inter-state tensions.