VOL.VII, NO.10
OCTOBER 1996

SAARC Agriculture Ministers Meet In Islamabad

- Common Position For The World Food Summit Formulated

THE FIRST MEETING of the SAARC Agriculture Ministers was held in Islamabad on 8-9 October 1996 to prepare a common position of the SAARC countries before the World Food Summit scheduled to be held in Rome from 13 to 17 November 1996.

Inaugurated and presided by Nawab Muhammad Yousaf Talpur, Minister for Food, Agriculture and Livestock of Pakistan, the Meeting expressed serious concern at the widespread food insufficiency and malnutrition in different parts of the world. It also noted that greater national production supplemented by meaningful regional and international cooperation to enhance food production, storage, distribution and strengthening of research capabilities of developing countries and assured transfer of technology together with greater flow of development resources must form the corner stone of all efforts to eradicate hunger and famine. The Meeting adopted a comprehensive resolution calling for action at all levels - global, regional and national to rid the world of hunger and malnutrition.


SAARC AGRICULTURE MINISTERS MEETING:

Resolve to address the problem of food insufficiency and malnutrition

The Meeting was also addressed by SAARC Secretary General, Naeem U. Hasan. He drew attention to the fact that poverty eradication, reinforced by rapid population growth, has proved to be a daunting element of the food problems and food insecurity of the developing countries. He stressed that it was imperative to undertake comprehensive plans and programmes to eradicate poverty side by side with sustained efforts to encourage rapid growth in food grain production. The SAARC Secretary General strongly urged the forthcoming World Food Summit to create an enabling international environment supportive efforts of developing countries to attain food security. The Meeting also considered several issues on the agenda of the World Food Summit and concrete steps to further intensify intra-SAARC cooperation to implement effective plans and programmes to address key agricultural concerns in the SAARC region.

Ministers and high level officials of all the member countries participated in the Meeting. Directors Tahir Iqbal Butt and Liaquat Ali Choudhry also attended the Meeting on behalf of the SAARC Secretariat.


Effective Utilisation Of Indigenous Methods For Treatment Of Drug Dependence Discussed

A WORKSHOP on effective utilisation of indigenous methods for treatment of drug dependence was held in Islamabad on 1-2 October 1996.

The two-day workshop after detailed deliberation included presentation of papers covering subjects such as effective and rational use of allopathic medicine, homeopathic medicine, and hikmat (practice of traditional medicine) in detoxification of drug dependent persons; effectiveness of Acupuncture in detoxification of drug addicted persons; economic models of treatment and rehabilitation Centres; as well as Islamic teachings and disciplines as tool for rehabilitation of drug dependent persons.

The recommendations of the workshop include the adoption of indigenous systems i.e. Unani, Hikmat, Homeopathic, Acupuncture, Siddh, Yoga and Meditations, towards the treatment of drug addicts in all the SAARC countries, in view of their proven efficacy in tackling physical and psychological conditions associated with addiction.

The importance of dissemination of technical knowledge and professional experience in the utilisation of indigenous systems of medicine in the treatment of drug addicts on a regular basis was highlighted and the workshop recommended the development of systematic policy measures to establish and strengthen cooperation in this field among the member countries of South Asia.

The workshop held under the chairmanship of Shakil Durrani, Director, Planning and Development, Anti-Narcotics Force, Islamabad was attended by participants from Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Country reports covering relevant aspects of the theme were presented and discussed at the Workshop.


Secretary-General's Round Of Meetings

EARLY THIS MONTH, Secretary-General called on Dr. Prakash Chandra Lohani, Nepalese Foreign Minister at the latter's office and had a broad exchange of views on SAARC related matters with focus on the forthcoming meetings of the Council of Ministers and the meetings preceding it to be hosted by New Delhi in December this year. Secretary-General also took the opportunity to apprise the Foreign Minister on numerous SAARC activities that were held during the last few months. The efforts of SAARC towards operationalization of SAPTA and the expected outcome of the Seventh Meeting of the Committee on Economic Cooperation (CEC) scheduled for end October in New Delhi also figured prominently during the discussion.

Ever since the establishment of SAARC-Japan Special Fund in 1993, there has been regular and close interaction between the officials of the SAARC Secretariat and the Government of Japan. The visit of Kenzo Oshima, Deputy Director, Asian Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan to the SAARC Secretariat on October 2, 1996 was yet another step forward in sustaining this momentum. Mr. Oshima, during his call on the Secretary-General, had wide ranging discussions. The Deputy Director renewed his Government's invitation to the Secretary-General to visit Japan during the course of which a review could be made of Japan's relations with SAARC with particular focus on the SAARC-Japan Special Fund.

Secretary-General, since assumption of his office early this year, has been maintaining a close rapport with the media personnel. During this month, Secretary-General received a host of journalists from Bangladesh, India and Nepal. These included Abdur Rahman Khan, Special Correspondent of Holiday from Bangladesh; Deepak Goel, UNI; P. K. Sarkar, PTI; K. S. Tomar, Hindustan Times; Ashok Narain, All India Radio; Ramashish, Nav Bharat Times from India; and N. P. Upadhyay, Chief Editor of the Telegraph Weekly from Nepal.

Other visitors to the SAARC Secretariat included Rekha Dayal, Regional Programme Adviser/UNDP World Bank and Sanitation Programme from New Delhi and recently arrived Lars Harmann, Charge d'Affaires of Royal Danish Embassy to Nepal.


The following activities were also held during October :

- Workshop on Development of Epidemiological Services Support for ,Health and Population Activities, New Delhi, 8-10 October;
- An Education Tour in Pakistan under the Technical Committee on Tourism, 5-10 October;
- Fourteenth Letter writing competition, Islamabad;
- Workshop on Mid-Decade Review of the Girl Child, New Delhi, 29-31;
- SAARC Youth Volunteer Exchange Programme, Sri Lanka, 28 October - 3 November.


Expansion Of Economic Cooperation :

- INTER-GOVERNMENTAL EXPERT GROUP ON TRANSITION

TO SAFTA ESTABLISHED

THE Committee on Economic Cooperation (CEC) during its Seventh Meeting in New Delhi on 28-29 October, 1996 reviewed the progress achieved in the implementation of its earlier recommendations for expansion of economic cooperation in the region; completion of the Second Round of Trade Negotiations under SAPTA; transition from SAPTA to SAFTA; implementation of recommenda-tions of the First Meeting of SAARC Commerce Ministers and promotion of intra-regional investment and establishment of joint ventures catering to national, regional and international markets.

The Meeting also reviewed the progress of the Tripartite Study being conducted by the governmental, business and academic sectors for expansion of economic cooperation. It recommended that the SAARC Expert Group established for this purpose submit its report by March 15, 1997. The other matters discussed by the Committee included Consultant's Report on transport infrastructure and transit facilities, cooperation among customs administrations of SAARC Member Countries, overseas bulk purchases by member governments, visa facilitation etc.


SAPTA TO SAFTA: soon to be a reality

The Committee directed the Inter-Governmental Group on Trade Liberalisation to hold its final meeting in the SAARC Secretariat, Kathmandu on 29-30 November, 1996 and conclude the Second Round of Trade Negotiations under SAPTA. It also decided to hold Meetings on Avoidance of Double Taxation in Pakistan and on Investment Promotion and Protection in India. Pakistan announced that it will host the first meeting of the newly created Group on Customs Cooperation (GCC) on January 27-28, 1997.

The Committee decided that the Group of Experts on SAFTA, now to be called "Inter-Governmental Expert Group (IGEG) on Transition to SAFTA will prepare an action plan with timeframe for individual steps for moving from SAPTA to SAFTA. This IGEG on Transition to SAFTA will start its work immediately on the conclusion of the Second Round of Trade Negotiations. The Member Countries have been requested to nominate their Members on the IGEG by December, 1996.

It also decided to hold its next meeting in early April 1997 in New Delhi to examine the recommendations of the Tripartite Study on Expansion of Economic Cooperation including sub-regional cooperation and informal trade and also to finalise the Terms of Reference for the IGEG on Transition to SAFTA.

The Committee also deliberated on the Second Meeting of SAARC Commerce Ministers and Second SAARC Trade Fair to be held in Pakistan in 1997.

The meeting was inaugurated by Dr. B.B. Ramaiah, Commerce Minister of India, who in his statement reiterated the firm commitment of India to expand regional trade and economic cooperation under the framework of SAARC with a view to achieving South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) preferably by the year 2000. The Commerce Minister appreciated the pivotal role being played by CEC in assisting the SAARC Member Countries by suggesting various measures for improvement in the regional trade regime, tariff structures, removal of-non-tariff barriers, investment promotion and transport and transit infrastructure.

The SAARC Secretary-General in his address expressed satisfaction at the completion of most of the preparatory work for conclusion of the Second Round of Trade Negotiations under SAPTA.

On behalf of the President of the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), the President-elect of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) A.S. Kasliwal presented a report on the activities of the regional apex body.

The meeting was attended by participants from all the Member States. The SAARC Secretariat was represented by SAARC Secretary-General, Naeem U. Hasan and Director, Ashok K. Attri.


First Meeting Of Environment And Meteorology Takes Place

Inaugural session of Technical Committee meeting on Environment and Meteorology

THE FIRST MEETING of the newly merged SAARC Technical Committee on Environment and Meteorology was held in Colombo on October 23-25, 1996. The Committee reviewed in-depth the activities carried out in the member states and the progress made in the areas of environment and meteorology. It noted with satisfaction that progress was being made in networking of Meteorological Communication within the region. The Committee also adopted the State-of-the-Art Reports on Storm Surge including Prediction by Various Methods by M.F. Qayyum (Bangladesh) and North-East Monsoon by A.K. Sen (India). It decided that the Heads of the National Meteorological Services of SAARC Member States will continue to act as nodal points on all matters related to meteorological activities.

The Meeting also decided to continue the Scheme of Regional Awards for Scientists and declared Ghulam Rasul of Pakistan as the winner of the twelfth award. The Committee formulated guidelines for the grant of Research Awards to encourage senior scientists and young scientists.

One of the important areas looked at by the Committee relates to monitoring the implementations of the recommendations of the Regional Studies on "Causes and Consequences of Natural Disasters and Protection and Preservation of Environment", and "Greenhouse Effect and its Impact on the Region". The Committee is expected to submit a Report on this to the Ninth SAARC Summit in 1997.

The meeting was inaugurated by the Minister of Science, Technology and Human Resources Development Bernard Soyza, who emphasised the importance of closer cooperation among Member States of SAARC, particularly in the vital areas of environment and meteorology. The Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Environment and Women's affairs Cecil Amerasinghe, who chaired the meeting read out the speech of Minister of Transport, Environment and Women's Affairs Srimani Athulathmudali, who was unable to be present. Director SAARC Secretariat, Suresh Pradhan gave a brief overview of the previous meetings of the Technical Committee and highlighted the issues that needed to be addressed by the Member States.

The three-day meeting was attended by representatives from Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.


Coming Events

Following is the tentative list of activities scheduled for November :

-19-21 Meeting of Experts on Administrative and Legal Arrangements for Control of Medicinal Drugs, New Delhi
-26-27 Seminar on Trans-Himalayan Fish Species, Kathmandu

-27-28 Fifteenth Meeting of the TC on Rural Development, Kathmandu
-29-30 Fourth Meeting of IGG on Trade Liberalisation to conclude the Second Round of Trade Negotiations under SAPTA, SAARC Secretariat, Kathmandu


Technical Committee Reviews Progress On Prevention Of Drug Trafficking And Drug Abuse

THE ELEVENTH MEETING of the Technical Committee on Prevention of Drug Trafficking & Drug Abuse held in Islamabad on 15-16 October 1996 reviewed progress made by Member States to prevent drug trafficking and drug abuse in the region.

During the two-day annual meeting, the participants through their country reports highlighted the drug scenario and the efforts made by their respective countries since their last meeting to curb the menace of drug trafficking and drug abuse.

The delegates also discussed new developments in the area of drug abuse control and prevention. The specific issues covered during the discussions included development of local and indigenous methods/modalities for treatment and rehabilitation; inclusion of additional/updated information in the Directory of NGOs; training and transfer of know-how, expertise in law enforcement rehabilitation and preventive education; and expeditious implementation of the Global Programme of Action (GPA) and formulation of multi-year master plans.

The Committee, in particular, reviewed the progress in implementation of various decisions taken by it at its last meeting. The participants informed the Committee about the progress in the implementation of the SAARC Conventions on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances as well as mechanisms and strategies for implementation, consolidation and harmonisation of national drug legislation in their respective countries. Most of the Member States are nearing completion of the process by amending the present laws and through the introduction of new Money Laundering laws.


Collective effort to curb the menace of drug trafficking and drug abuse:

- Technical Committee meeting in progress

The functioning of the SAARC Drug Offences Monitoring Desk (SDOMD) was thoroughly reviewed by the Committee.

The Committee agreed that all major drug seizure cases should be reported to SDOMD by Member States on the current IRF/DRF and that all Member States should send annual reports to SDOMD so that it could analyse these reports and make its own report for dissemination to Member States.

The Committee also suggested that SDOMD consider publishing periodically a bulletin with the available information.

The Committee identified possible areas for funding under the SAARC Japan Special Fund. They include programmes for law enforcement and demand reduction; development of a pool of experts from Institutions of all Member States for law enforcement related activities as well as establishment of a Drug Rehabilitation Centre in Nepal.

The Meeting discussed the possibilities of expanding cooperation with UNDCP under the existing MOU, and strengthening the Working Relationship with the Colombo Plan Bureau. In addition, the Committee also finalised the Calendar of Activities for 1997.

The Meeting attended by participants from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka was inaugurated by the Secretary, Narcotics Control Division of Pakistan Muhammad Afzal Kahut. Director, R.P. Jayasooriya represented the SAARC Secretariat at the meeting.


Coordination Of District Level Development Efforts In Poverty Eradication Discussed

SRI LANKA organised a workshop as a part of the project - "SAARC Seven Sisters: District Development Co-ordination and Improved Poverty Project Design". The four-day workshop, participated by representatives from SAARC countries, SAARC Secretariat, Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), and UNDP was held in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka from 28-31 October 1996.

The delegates discussed various issues relating to the improvement in the functioning of the district level co-ordination fora established in five districts of SAARC countries to facilitate better coordination among different development agencies, the NGOs and other social organisations engaged in poverty eradication programmes at the grass-root level.

The decision to form these district level co-ordination fora was taken during the first meeting under the project - "SAARC Seven Sisters" held at the SAARC Secretariat, Kathmandu from 26-29 June 1996. These fora are expected to bring together representatives of development agencies, NGOs and beneficiaries of Poverty Eradication Programme at the local level with a view to improving the designing and the implementation of Poverty Eradication Programmes through enhanced coordination. The workshop in Nuwara Eliya reviewed the progress in the establishment of the district level fora in five designated districts in the SAARC countries.

It was felt that these new co-ordination fora showed considerable promise and could be useful. The workshop also considered various issues relating to the sustainability and possible replication of these district level fora in other areas. Delegates suggested several additional steps for further improvement of functioning of such fora. They also examined various concrete steps to further enhance beneficiary participation in these fora.

The workshop strongly urged all concerned to continue the project - "SAARC Seven Sisters" and organise regular meetings at the sub-regional level to facilitate sharing of experiences of the member countries in successfully operationalising these district level fora. The workshop was rounded up by a field trip to areas surrounding Nuwara Eliya to apprise the participants of significant progress made in initiating and implementing poverty eradication programmes by the people, government agencies and NGOs in Nuwara Eliya through greater coordination of their development efforts.

Participants of the Workshop on Poverty Eradication


South Asian Regulator's Forum To Be Setup

A SOUTH ASIAN REGULATOR'S FORUM is to be setup under the auspices of Asia Pacific Telecummunity (APT) to act as a regional forum to address policy, strategic and regulatory issues in telecommunications which are of mutual interest to the countries of South Asia. This was decided during the first meeting of the ITU Regulatory Forum for South Asian Countries, held in Male' on 8-9 October, 1996. Some of the issues of relevance identified by the meeting include those relating to radio frequency coordination, standards, regulatory trends and issues, strategies for telecommunications development and international affairs. The Council will also identify and promote areas of potential cooperation in telecommunications among SAARC countries and facilitate exchange of information in these areas through activities such as seminars, training programmes and workshops.

The meeting inaugurated by the Minister of Transport and Shipping Ahmed Zahir brought together representatives of all Countries of SAARC, ITU and APT. Director, Ahmed Latheef represented the SAARC Secretary-General at the meeting. The two-day meeting worked out the details of the functioning of the Council. The meetings of the Council are to be held annually with the Chairmanship rotating in alphabetical order. The second meeting will be held in Nepal in 1997.


World Infrastructure Forum - Asia 1996

IN ACCORDANCE with the decision taken by the Economic and Social Commission for the Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), a World Infrastructure Forum was organised in New Delhi on 30-31 October, 1996. It was preceded by Ministerial Conference on Infrastructure held on 28-29 October, 1996.

The Conference and the Forum were inaugurated together by the Prime Minister of India on 28 October 1996. T.G. Venkatraman, Minister for Surface Transport of India delivered the welcome address. The inaugural session was also addressed by ESCAP Executive Secretary, Adrianus Mooy, Peter M. Benson on behalf of the private sector, and Bong-Suh Lee, Vice-President of Asian Development Bank. Director, SAARC Secretariat Ashok K. Attri, represented the SAARC Secretariat at the meeting.

The Conference was convened in pursuance of Commission resolution 51/8 of 1 May 1995 on implementation of the New Delhi Action Plan on Infrastructure Development in Asia and the Pacific. The Plan covers the period 1997-2006 and its main objectives are to accelerate infrastructure development in Asian and Pacific region commensurate with differing economic and social conditions prevailing in the countries and areas of the region; and to improve efficiency in the provision of infrastructure facilities and services. The delegates from many countries of the region participated in these Meetings.


Meetings On Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) And Trade Facilitation

THE EDICOM'96 Conference and Exhibition - From EDI to Electronic Commerce was held in New Delhi on 30 October - 2 November, 1996. It was an international conference on Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) held under the auspices of Asia EDIFACT Board. It was inaugurated by B.B. Ramaiah, Commerce Minister of India. Several experts from National Informatics Centre (NIC), New Delhi, UN, ESCAP, WCO, IBM, Indian Customs etc. made presentations on various relevant topics relating to Electronic Data Interchange detailing their technical, operational and legal issues.

The Fourth Meeting of UN/ESCAP Network on Trade Facilitation was held in New Delhi on 31 October - 1 November 1996. The ESCAP Executive Secretary, Adrianus Mooy addressed the Meeting during the inaugural session. EDI experts from ESCAP, WCO, European Commission, Asian Institute of Technology made their presentations on the issues relating to networking using electronic commerce to facilitate intra-regional trade in Asia, policy implications for the rationalisation of customs process and procedures.

Director, Ashok K. Attri represented the SAARC Secretariat in the meetings.


RICAP Sub-Committee Meets

THE FIRST MEETING of the Regional Inter-Agency Committee for Asia and Pacific (RICAP) Sub-Committee on Infrastructure Development in Asia and the Pacific was held in New Delhi on 30 October, 1996. This meeting was organised to consider a number of important issues related to the implementation of the regional action programme for phase-II (1992-96) of the Decade including its evaluation in 1997, reorientation of some of its activities under UNDP's fifth inter-country programme, preparations for UNDP's Sixth cycle, the regional action programme on infrastructure development for phase-I (1997-2001), and agency membership of the Asia Infrastructure Development Alliance (AIDA). The SAARC Secretariat was represented by Director, Ashok K. Attri.


Trade Negotiations Under SAPTA

SECOND ROUND TO BE COMPLETED SOON

THE THIRD MEETING of Inter-Governmental Group (IGG) on Trade was held in New Delhi on 25-26 October, 1996.

The delegates conducted detailed and in-depth bilateral negotiations on trade concessions and significant progress was achieved during these negotiations as most of the information about tariff concessions had been exchanged by the delegates. The work relating to finalisation of National Schedules of Concessions was largely completed. An exclusive session was devoted to matters relating to Least Developed Countries (LDCs). The IGG decided to hold its fourth and final Meeting as soon as possible in order to conclude the Second Round of Trade Negotiations under SAPTA.

The Meeting was inaugurated by the Commerce Secretary of India, Tejendra Khanna, who in his address emphasised the importance and urgency of expanding economic cooperation and moving from SAPTA to SAFTA as per the mandated schedule. He further emphasised that it is not sufficient to merely exchange tariff concessions but efforts should also be made to simultaneously remove non-tariff barriers and para-tariffs. Suggesting that the European Union could serve as a model for the SAARC region, the Secretary said that steps should be taken by all Member Countries to move steadily forward towards achieving higher levels of regional cooperation as the European Union had done. The Meeting was attended by all SAARC Member Countries. SAARC Secretariat was represented by Director, Ashok K Attri.


SAARC Homepage On The 'Net'

THE GROWING DEMAND for information on SAARC has prompted the SAARC Secretariat in Kathmandu to put up its own Homepage on the INTERNET. With the launching of the page beginning from 31 October, 1996, it is now possible to have easy access to information on the organisation, its programmes and activities. The page located in the "South-Asia" website maintained by the Mercantile Communications Pvt. Ltd. in Kathmandu can be accessed through the address http://www.south-asia.com/ saarc.

The SAARC Homepage presently includes information contained in the brochure "SAARC in Brief"; SAARC Charter; SAARC Declarations adopted by the Heads of States or Government beginning from the first Summit in Dhaka in 1985 until the Eight Summit held in New Delhi in May 1995; and selected articles of interest from the SAARC magazine "SPECTRUM". The page also contains monthly SAARC Newsletters published by the Secretariat beginning from January 1996 until now.

This new facility will greatly benefit students, researchers, academics, policy makers and others who are interested to know more about the organisation, and the process of regional cooperation in South Asia. The Secretariat hopes to update periodically its Homepage to provide as much updated information as possible to its users.


Economic And Trade Databases Available In The Secretariat

THE FOLLOWING trade-related computerised databases are available in the SAARC Secretariat :

Some of the other published trade and tariff-related documents available in the Secretariat for reference include latest import policy orders and customs tariff publications of SAARC Member Countries, lists of products agreed to by SAARC Member Countries under preferential tariff regimes of SAPTA, publications of Asian Development Bank, World Bank, ESCAP and other UN bodies etc.


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