SAARC Secretary General Ambassador Md. Golam Sarwar meets in Manila today ADB Vice President Mr. Yingming Yang to hold talks on ongoing and future collaboration between the two organizations.

A courtesy meeting was held today between H.E. the Secretary General of SAARC Ambassador Md. Golam Sarwar and Ambassador of Australia to Nepal H.E. Ms. Leann Johnston at the SAARC Secretariat. During the meeting, the two dignitaries exchange views on a range of topics including Australia's engagements with countries in this region, priority areas of Australia's cooperation, as well as structure and functioning of SAARC. Both sides emphasized the need to explore areas where Australia, as an Observer in SAARC, can extend cooperation for regional/sub-regional initiatives.      

The Tenth Meeting of the SAARC Sub-Group on Customs Cooperation was held in Kathmandu on 01-02 October 2024 to consider the final Draft Final Study on Harmonization of 8-digit HS Tariff Lines of the SAARC Member States.

The Meeting was attended by delegations from the SAARC Member States. Representatives of the Customs authorities of the SAARC Member States gathered to discuss the Draft Final Study Report on Harmonization of 8-digit HS Tariff Lines of the Member States. The Study has been conducted by ADB to propose modalities for bringing uniformity in tariff lines and address the challenges of their susceptibility to distortion. The Tenth Meeting of the SAARC Sub-Group on Customs Cooperation was held with the financial and technical assistance of ADB.

The Tenth Meeting of SAARC Sub-Group on Customs Cooperation examined the Draft SAARC Common Nomenclature for the consideration by the SAARC Member States. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the steps on moving forward the implementation of the Study, including a recommended timeline for the completion of the harmonization process.

Harmonization of 8-digit tariff lines in the SAARC Member States will bring numerous benefits to trade and economic integration. By standardizing tariff classifications across Member States, it will simplify customs procedures, reducing complexity and delays in cross-border trade. The consequent uniformity will enhance transparency, making it easier for businesses to navigate regulations and access foreign markets, thereby boosting trade flows. Harmonisation of tariff lines also supports regional economic cooperation by aligning policies, facilitating smoother trade agreements, and fostering greater economic integration and collaboration among member countries.

The Meeting also agreed that it is important to harmonise the requirements of Mandatory and Additional Documents in the Member States for speedy clearance of consignments to facilitate intra-SAARC trade under and outside SAFTA. In addition, the Meeting also resumed discussion on inter-operability of Systems being followed by Customs Administrations in Member States.

SAARC Secretariat

Kathmandu, Nepal

03 October 2024

Director (Information and Poverty Alleviation), SAARC Secretariat, Mr. Hari Odari addressed the Regional Dialogue on Food Systems for Enhanced Nutrition Outcomes hosted on 21 September 2024 by the South Asia Policy Leadership for Improved Nutrition and Growth (SAPLING) Initiative of the World Bank. The Dialogue was organized in New Delhi as part of the World Food India 2024, a mega event hosted by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India.
In his remarks as the Guest of Honour, Mr. Odari presented an overview of the food and nutrition situation in SAARC Region and highlighted SAARC initiatives including the activities of SAARC Agriculture Centre, Chief Veterinary Officers' Forum, SAARC Food Bank and SAARC Seed Bank.
The Director also shared perspective on the areas such as technology, seeds and other inputs, supply chain and logistics, food safety and quality standards that require prioritization, scaled-up investment and enhanced level of regional cooperation to further improve the food and nutrition security in the SAARC Region.