928, Norzin Lam, Thimphu, BhutanTel: +9752-321152/53 Fax: +9752-321150/321203.Email: info@sdfsec.orgWeb: www.sdfsec.org. Read on to find out more. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions © 2021 worldatlas.com. from networking with the corporate majors of SAARC member countries and global industry to assisting in framing economic and industrial policies, through close linkage with the government. But, SAARC has to be changed and made eight because its members have reached eight including Afghanistan. The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), founded in 1985, is dedicated to improving the welfare of the people of South Asia through economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region. Bilateralism is an easier option since it calls for dealings between only two countries, whereas SAARC—at a regional level—requires one country to deal with seven countries… The Independent South Asian Commission for Poverty Alleviation (ISACPA) developed a comprehensive set of twenty two SAARC Development Goals (SDGs), under four clusters in 2006: As directed by the Leaders, SAARC is making sustained progress to mainstream SDGs in the national process and develop and implement regional and sub-regional projects towards the attainment of SAARC Development Goals. The member countries have established a Free Trade Area (FTA) which will increase their internal trade and lessen the trade gap of some states considerably. The study was completed in 1991 and strongly supported to establish a SAARC … Myanmar and China have expressed interest in joining the organization. Pakistan. Australia, China, European Union, Iran, Japan, Mauritius, Myanmar, the Republic of Korea and United States are the Observers to SAARC. These Regional Centres are managed by respective Governing entities comprising representatives from Member States, SAARC Secretary-General, and the Ministry of Foreign/External Affairs of the host government. Headquarter of SAARC in in Kathmandu, Nepal. So at present, there are eight members of SAARC and 9 observers: USA, China, Japan, Australasia, Iran, South Korea, Myanmar, Mauritius and EU. The initial objective was to create a trading bloc that would foster harmony among the South Asian people. The organization formed following the culmination of the efforts that began in 1947 at the Asian Relations Conference. However, the organization’s policy prevents members from interfering in each other’s internal affairs. Afghanistan joined the organization in 2007. SAARC is one of the few (if only) regional organizations in the world that has more observers than it does member states. SAARC, which was established in 1985 with eight countries, worked well until 2014-2015. Afghanistan, one of South Asia’s main regional headaches, has been a member of SAARC since 2007. SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry Established in 1985, SAARC had hitherto avoided including core economic issues in its programme, but in the wake of the desire for a SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the SAARC Secretariat commissioned a study on Trade, Manufactures and Services in 1988. While other SAARC member countries such as Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives supported India’s move at that time, eventually, Colombo, Dhaka and Kathmandu stepped up the pressure on New Delhi to let the SAARC process move. Most of the countries produce similar products which have made intraregional trade stagnate. Regional Centres established in Member Countries are the supporting pillars to the secretariat for promoting regional cooperation. Meeting deliberated on Administrative, Financial, Legal and Policy matters for the year 2020. The organization formed following the culmination of the efforts that began in 1947 at the Asian Relations Conference. Among those observers … The logo of SAARC signifies that the member countries are seven. SAARC is the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation is the regional intergovernmental organization and geopolitical union of states in South Asia. The combine population of all member countries is approximately 1.5 billion. Terrorism is a significant concern for all the countries, and they agreed to cooperate extensively on the issue at the 12th and 13th summits. Rural development (including the SAARC Youth Volunteers Program). SAARC member states (SMSs) are cumulatively crude oil deficit nations with minuscule oil reserves and production. Founded during a summit in 1985, SAARC’s initial members include Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. saarc member countries India sees second highest usage of Cisco’s virtual meeting app Webex after US Sameer Garde, president, Cisco, India and SAARC, told ET in an interview that more than 4 million trial licences were issued during the past six months across the country and average monthly usage had increased from nearly 1000 users a month before March to 900,000 users a month currently. The lack of political goodwill has also contributed to the low levels of trade. Representatives of all SAARC Member Countries participated in this meeting. Economic data is sourced from the International Monetary Fund, current as of December 2019, and is given in U.S. dollars. Barriers to trade such as high tariffs are also a major challenge to the organization's objectives. List of SAARC member countries (8) Afghanistan. Given SAARC’s failures, member countries have turned to bilateralism, which in turn has adversely affected the organisation. SAARC Member Countries The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was established on December 8, 1985 to organize and unite the governments of of its seven original members: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka to promote mutual progress and development. Maldives. The membership of the regional bloc is comprised of Nepal, Pakistan, India, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. In achieving its objectives, the organization faces a myriad of challenges especially when it comes to trade. In 1992, the organization established a visa exemption scheme allowing various categories of people including journalists and parliamentarians to travel within the region without the need of a visa. 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