February 19, 2010: Peace & Harmony News from S. Asia
Pritam Rohila
www.asiapeace.org & www.indiapakistanpeace.org
4410 Verda Lane NE, Keizer, OR 97303, USA
asia...@comcast.net
February 19, 2010: Peace & Harmony News from S. Asia
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndiaPakistanPeaceDay
&
http://groups.google.com/group/peace--harmony-news-from-south-asia
IN THIS ISSUE
Happy Nepal Democracy Day
*SAARC agrees on 20pc cut in trade lists DAWN.COM | February 19, 2010
http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=637930&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN
ISLAMABAD: Member countries of South Asia Free Trade Area (Safta) have
agreed in principle to reduce the trade sensitive lists by 20 per cent
and allowing trade concessions on 20 per cent more items for expansion
of regional trade by September, officials of the commerce ministry
said here on Wednesday.
The decision was made in the Committee of Expert meeting held recently
at Kathmandu, Nepal. The official said that there was no disagreement
on reduction in sensitive list between the member countries.
The meeting also decided that Safta countries would sign the draft
agreement on exchange of services by April this year.
The four modes of services agreement are: cross border services like
telephones etc., which are already operational in most of South Asia.
The second mode is ‘consumption abroad’ which is the spending by
persons in each other countries that includes tourism or travel for
education or health needs.
The third mode is establishing financial services in each other
countries and the fourth mode is movement of persons for jobs in each
other countries.
The official of the commerce ministry said the first two modes were
already functioning in South Asia.
“However working is required for establishing banks in member
countries,” the official said and added that each country would be
submitting their proposals after signing of draft on exchange of
services in Saarc countries.
However, after the Kathmandu meeting the commerce ministry has started
to chalk out plans for consultations with local trade and industry for
gathering input over the reduction in sensitive list and the list of
items that Pakistan want other countries to open up for exports.
“Reduction in sensitive lists by 20 per cent by each member country
would mean allowing trade of 20 per cent more items within the
region,” the official said. “It could have a serious impact on some
local industry also and we have to be careful,” he warned.
This consultation process would be completed in two months so that the
items of Pakistan’s interest are identified for consideration by all
the member states.
The officials said that by defining a proper list Pakistan would be in
a position to facilitate local trade and industry by allowing import
of raw materials at low tariff and help the value added sector become
more competitive for exports in world markets.
On the exports side Pakistan would request the member countries
including India to exclude from its sensitive lists items of interest
that Pakistan would prefer to export.
The official said that some of Pakistan’s textile value added products
have a competitive edge in the region and could win the space in South
Asian markets.
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EXPLANATION/DISCLIMER: The above is a selection of news stories
pertaining to South Asian governments, civil society organizations and
individuals working together on projects of mutual benefit including
peace and communal harmony, and those relating to attempts to improve
the condition of South Asian peoples, especially women and children.
ACHA does not approve of or subscribe to any "disharmonizing
language" (including terms such as POK or IOK) used in these items
selected from various publications. Readers may exercise their
linguistic judgment and ignore any biased language.