SASEC
Initiative
THE forum that SAARC
has provided must be appreciated in the sense that it has opened up numerous avenues for
the benefit of the South Asian nations. Though it has been over fifteen years that SAARC
came into being, the pace had not been as expected despite the many initiatives taken.
But, it must be remembered that the 11th SAARC Summit held in Kathmandu in the first week
of January this fear has revitalised the activities. In this connection, it must be
remembered that South Asia that is home to over 20 per cent of the global population has
enough resources and potential to emerge as the economic powerhouse given the necessary
boost and commitment of the concerned member countries. This has become all the more
crucial in the face of the flux that the international market is going through. Herein,
economic cooperation that is the bulwark of this prestigious regional grouping must be the
path for the overall welfare of the peoples of the seven countries that constitute SAARC.
The stakes are high and so the efforts too should be commensurate. That tackling poverty
and terrorism is high on the agenda must be the reason why there has to be a greater
camaraderie among all the member states to chalk out various ways and means to deal with
them effectively and efficiently. But the cooperation of all the concerned is more than
necessary.
As a part of the undergoing
initiatives to reinvigorate the cooperation efforts, the South Asia Growth Quadrangle was
floated. As a follow-up the South Asia Sub-Regional Cooperation (SASEC) came into being.
It comprises of Nepal, India, Bangladesh and Bhutan. The main thrust for such is to have
streamlined policies and programmes whereby all logistics related to the movement of goods
and people within the sub-regional level is streamlined. The other day the second meeting
of the SAGQ’s Transport Working Group commenced and the commitment was made for
developing the transport network within the sub-region to enhance economic performance of
the four countries that constitute it. This particularly has great significance for Nepal
as it is a landlocked country together with Bhutan. It may be worthwhile remembering here
that SASEC is supported by the Asian Development Bank. It is a fruitful venture and if the
action plan is formulated and works carried out accordingly, such a sub-regional transport
network would benefit not only Nepal but also all the other member countries. It is
genuine commitment and concrete strategies that work and not anything that is on an ad hoc
basis. But going by the seriousness of SASEC, it can be hoped that the transport network,
as envisaged, would prove to be a landmark of cooperation towards the prosperity of South
Asia as a whole. Deliberations must lead to results which will only then be of vital and
sustainable benefit.
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