Bhutan may push for expanding SAARC visa exemption scheme
The smaller nations of the 8-member SAARC may push for expanding the bloc's visa exemption scheme during the Thimphu summit on Apr 28-29. Extending the period of validity of visa exemptions would give businesses wider berth in long-term projects.
THE SMALLER nations of the 8-member SAARC may push for expanding the bloc's visa exemption scheme during the Thimphu summit on Apr 28-29. Despite the strained relations between India and Pakistan that might cast clouds over the ensuing 16th summit of the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Bangladesh, Nepal and a few other members have been seeking expansion of the visa exemption scheme that the regional grouping had put in place in 1992.
At present, only the 100 members of the national trade bodies of all the SAARC countries are entitled to avail the benefits of the visa exemption scheme. The ADB and SAARC CCI proposed that "access should be widened to make it easier for business persons outside the entitled persons' list to avail benefits of visa exemptions". They recommended special provisions for "fast track applications" for the private sector by facilitating endorsements or certification from national trade bodies and business associations. They proposed that the maximum number of visa exemption stickers to be issued by each member country every year should be raised from the existing 100 to at least 200.
The ADB and SAARC CCI stressed that extending the period of validity of visa exemptions would give businesses wider berth in long-term projects. To make the visa exemptions more flexible, they suggested three steps – raising maximum permissible duration of stay from the existing one month to three months, extending sticker validity to three years from the date of issue and dropping restrictions on movement to specific cities. They also proposed use of full-fledged cards with built-in bar-coding or security chips for business travellers instead of the stickers for implementing the visa exemption scheme to address the concerns about cross-border security and facilitate cross-border movement.
Both Indian and Pakistani governments are not enthusiastic about expanding the visa exemption scheme though, apparently due to security concerns and particularly in the wake of the post 26/11 diplomatic chill. But, according to sources, the other SAARC members are trying to impress upon the two the urgent need "to ease the mobility of business in order to foster more private sector integration in South Asia."
Since its birth in 1985, the intra-regional trade within SAARC moved up to just 5.8 percent in 2009 from 3.2 percent in the 1980s compared to their combined trade volume. Although the eight countries signed an agreement on South Asia Free Trade Area in 2004; the levels of intra-regional trade continued to be modest.
The issue of expanding the visa exemption scheme was supposed to have been discussed by the immigration authorities of the eight SAARC countries just before the Home Ministers' meet that was to be held in Rawalpindi in Pakistan on February 26 and 27. But both the meetings were postponed following a request from Nepal.
A senior Bhutanese government official said that the proposal of expanding the visa exemption scheme could be raised in the Thimphu Summit by other member countries. "But we think the appropriate forums to discuss the issue are the meetings of the immigration authorities and Home Ministers," he added. According to diplomatic sources, both India and Pakistan are likely to insist that security implications related with the proposal should be first assessed carefully before making any move forward.
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binayk
ndia and Pakistan are very cagey about the proposal though - ostensibly for their own security concerns.-- Is it true?
Ranjit
The issue of expanding the visa exemption scheme was supposed to have been discussed by the immigration authorities of the eight SAARC countries just before the Home Ministers' meet that was to be held in Rawalpindi in Pakistan on February 26 and 27.
debjoty
India and Pakistan are very cagey about the proposal though â?? ostensibly for their own security concerns.???
gtroy
nice submit
tonufar
Since its birth in 1985, the intra-regional trade within SAARC moved up to just 5.8 percent in 2009 from 3.2 percent in the 1980s compared to their combined trade volume. Although the eight countries signed an agreement on South Asia Free Trade Area in 2004; the levels of intra-regional trade continued to be modest.
Mondal
SAARC Visa is helpful for go anywhere in South Asia. Only 100 Bussinessman get this opportunity! Think, In Maldives 100 bussinessman will equal of Indian 100 Businessman? Please Foreign Ministry, think this issue..
prayag
Nice Story. if its happen then it will enhance south asian bilateral trade volume.
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