Promoting Economic Cooperation in South Asia: Beyond SAFTA examines the distinct development dichotomy that exists in South Asia and tries to find a workable solution to bridge this gap. In spite of rapid economic growth since 1980, there is extensive poverty and inequality in South Asia. This dichotomy has two faces: one is highly urbanized and well-linked to global markets, and the other is rural, isolated from the global economy, and growing very slowly. The large bulk of South Asia?s poor live in the latter environment.
The book brings together perspectives from academics, the private sector, civil society and policy makers. Using solid empirical evidence and sound analysis, it stresses that in addition to policy and institutional reforms aimed at removing domestic constraints to growth and job creation, market integration and regional cooperation ought to be key elements of a strategy for removing the dichotomy and eliminating poverty in the longer term. Delving into major political economic issues of the SAARC region, the book analyzes SAFTA, bilateral FTAs, transportation, regional integration, regulatory mechanisms, food prices, labor and employment, and tourism. It also provides an analysis of why past cooperation efforts have not worked and how better cooperation can be achieved in specific areas. It looks at the many policy and institutional constraints that contribute to the present state and have made South Asia one of the least integrated regions of the world.
The book will be a very useful reference for researchers, scholars and bilateral and multilateral financial institutions and donor groups interested in South Asia?s development. Policy makers and think tanks focusing on economics, political science, and international relations will also find it beneficial.

Table of Contents

• Preface
• I: THE IMPERATIVE FOR COOPERATION
• A Perspective on Peace and Economic Cooperation in South Asia AKMAL HUSSAIN
• Making Regional Cooperation Work for South Asia?s Poor SADIQ AHMED and EJAZ GHANI
• II: SAFTA AND BEYOND: SELECTED COOPERATION ISSUES
• SAFTA: Current Status and Prospects DUSHNI WEERAKOON
• Bilateral Free Trade Agreements in SAARC and Implications for SAFTA DESHAL DE MEL
• Connecting South Asia: The Centrality of Trade Facilitation for Regional Economic Integration JAYANTA ROY and Pritam BANERJEE
• Transit and Border Trade Barriers in South Asia PRABIR DE, SACHIN CHATURVEDI, and ABDUR ROB KHAN
• Transport Issues and Integration in South Asia M RAHMATULLAH
• Harmonizing Regulatory Mechanisms: Options for Deepening Investment Integration in South Asia MARK ANDREW DUTZ
• Managing the Food Price Crisis in South Asia RICHARD VOKES and SAVINDI JAYAKODY
• Labor Migration, Employment, and Poverty Alleviation in South Asia SRIDHAR K KHATRI
• Promoting Tourism in South Asia RENTON DE ALWIS
• III: PRIVATE SECTOR PERSPECTIVES ON COOPERATION
• Regional Cooperation in South Asia: Bangladesh Perspective YUSSUF A HARUN
• Regional Cooperation in South Asia: India Perspective SONU JAIN
• Regional Cooperation in South Asia: Pakistan Perspective KHALID AMIN
• Regional Cooperation in South Asia: Sri Lanka Perspective CHANDRA JAYARATNE
• IV: THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF COOPERATION
• Weaker Economies in SAFTA: Issues and Concerns MOHAMMAD A RAZZAQUE
• SAARC Programs and Activities: Assessment Monitoring and Evaluation MAHENDRA P LAMA
• Index