Abstract
“Economic Integration” in South Asia is necessary for enhancing growth rates, trade volumes and improving living standards. While other regional organizations such as the European Union (EU), North American Free Trade Association (NAFTA) and Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) have successfully attained this goal, the South Asian Association of Regional countries (SAARC) despite its inception over a quarter century ago is nowhere near achieving this goal. Political tensions and certain procedural difficulties block the full implementation of the South Asian Preferential Trade Agreement (SAPTA) and the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) which could have advanced economic integration in the region. South Asian countries have a lot of economic potential and possess the will to exploit it through cooperation. This study analyses reasons for sluggish performance of SAPTA and SAFTA and offers recommendations for facilitating economic integration of the SAARC community.

Muhammad Hanif. (2012) Regional Economic Integration In South Asia: Progress And Prospects, IPRI Journal, Volume-12, Issue-2.
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