Prospects of Regional Economic Cooperation in South Asia

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Trade facilitation concerns in South Asia: the case of selected agro-food industries

C. Nalin Kumar

Abstract:

South Asian countries recognize that the long-term interest of the region lies in the formation of a regional economic grouping. As these countries have substantial rural economies, the bilateral liberalization of agricultural markets is expected to promote economic growth and reduce poverty. At the same time, trade-augmenting and trade-facilitating factors are of paramount importance. In a context where both exports and imports assume significance, factors such as logistics, information and quality are decisive in determining competitiveness of exports. This chapter looks into these challenges in the context of South Asian agricultural ...