The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a workshop called upon the leaders of South Asian nations to introduce parallel currency, visa free communication and establish a SAARC economic union for accelerating economic development in this region.

They gave this call at a workshop on "Economic Management in South Asia in the Context of New Global Experiences" at CIRDAP auditorium yesterday. The Bangladesh Unnayan Parisad (BUP) organised the workshop. Primary and Mass Education Adviser Rasheda K Chowdhury was present as chief guest while former Secretary Dr Zahirul Karim presided over the workshop. Bangladesh Economic Association (BEA) President Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmed presented the keynote paper. Former Adviser CM Shafi Sami, Vice President of BEA Prof Asraf Uddin Chowdhury, Action Aid Bangladesh Country Director Farah Kabir, Taher Uddin Amin, Dipak Kumar Roy of BIDS and Zahirul Islam Sikder, among others, addressed the workshop.

Presenting the key not paper, BEA President Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmed said About 500 million people in the SAARC region earn less than Tk 15 per day. "The current level of regional cooperation is low. However, the regional governments are talking about regional cooperation and SAARC summits and other institutions have taken many resolutions and decisions. Most of these are not being acted upon," he said.

He pointed out that the absence of necessary political will, compounded by narrow nationalistic bureaucratic attitudes, is the main stumbling block holding back progress of regional cooperation.

He was of the view that the South Asian nations can cooperate and learn from one another's experience in the filed of agriculture, food security, energy, industry, trade, investment and finance, transport and communication, tourism, education, health for economic development.

Adviser Rasheda K Chowdhury said that the decisions of SAARC summits could not be implemented for the lack of political will in this region. "Export and import of the SAARC countries couldn't get momentum due to lack of mutual trust and understanding", she observed.

The Adviser said that neo- liberalism is responsible for the present economic recession and suggested government intervention to stabilise the economy.

CM Shafi Sami said that terrorism retarded economic development in this region. For regional economic development, it has no other alternative for taking up mega project, he stressed.

Prof Asraf Uddin Chowdhury pleaded for state level initiative for promotin trade among the South Asian nations.

Farah Kabir said that the South Asian countries can form a platform for proper economic management in this region.

Citing example from Bangladesh and India, she called upon other South Asian nations to introduce the 100 -day work programme for poverty alleviation in this region.