The declaration categorically stressed on the need for connectivity through transportation, exchange of people and cooperation in the areas of tourism, health, culture, education as well as on the connectivity of mind and heart. [break]
Acknowledging the political commitment as the key factor for prosperity, the declaration recommended resolution of core issues through greater political wills to augment socio-economic cooperation in the region.
The conclave also urged for full utilization of benefits of geographical proximity, land, sea, river expansion of regional trade and intra-investment and emphasized upon implementation of Trade Facilitation Mechanism as urgent necessity to promote intra-regional trade.
The declaration has also proposed signing or implementation of SAARC Transit Agreement, shipment agreement, Logistics Agreements, ICT Agreement to make SAFTA a workable mechanism expeditiously, leading to Customs Union.
Realizing enormous potential in trade and investment in the region, the business community recommended signing of Regional Investment Treaty and up-gradation of SAFTA into a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement for the Region.
Recognizing water, energy, climate change and food security as the priority concerns, the conclave has also underlined the need to adopt collective measures to address these challenges. Similarly, urgent implementation of Regional Environment Treaty; activation of SAARC Food Bank and setting up the proposed SAARC Disaster Management Institute to minimize the impact of natural calamities and climate changes, have also been emphasized in the declaration.
The conclave also recommended cooperation in tourism, media, culture as well as promotion of women entrepreneurship.
As an urgent measure to foster regional cooperation, the conclave has stressed on the need to harmonize customs procedures and mutual recognition of Standards and Certifications, implementation of Regional Motor Vehicle Transport Agreement and Open Sky policy linking major cities in the region.
The declaration also strongly recommended a common SAARC energy policy to promote power production and cross border trading of energy.
The conclave has also recommended an increase in issuance of SAARC Visa Exemption Stickers (SVES) from 100 to 500 for each member country and increase the period from one year to two years.
Formation of a South Asian Integration and Promotional Agency to protect and promote SAARC common Cultural Heritage is also recommended in the declaration.
The regional business conclave was organized by SAARC Chambers of Commerce and Industry (SAARC-CCI) with the theme ´Peace and Prosperity through Regional Connectivity.
The conclave was aimed at providing policy recommendations for the SAARC Summit to be held in November 2011 in Male. Over 500 delegates, including business leaders, experts, academia and social scientists at the conclave, represented SAARC member countries, excluding Afghanistan.
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