Fin secy Subedi solicits economic integration among SAARC countries

KATHMANDU:

Finance Secretary Shanta Raj Subedi addressed the Sixth SAARC Finance Secretary-level Meeting held in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Thursday.

Addressing the meet, Subedi highlighted the need to implementation of South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) and the Agreement on Trade in Services (SATIS).

He underscored the need for the removal of non-tariff barriers to increase the volume of trade in South Asian region.

Moreover, Secretary Subedi stressed the necessity to increase the flow of financial capital and intra-regional investment, particularly in the infrastructure sector.

Subedi also underlined that cooperation among the SAARC member countries is highly necessary to address the potential and evolving crisis emerged in South Asia, including the recent volatility in the currencies which is a common concern of all the South Asian member countries.

Subedi also pointed out the importance of economic integration in the region in his address. The Secretary proposed that the next SAARC Finance Secretaries Meeting be held in Kathmandu and invited all the Secretaries of the South Asian countries to participate in the meeting.

Source: THT