PM announces unilateral liberalization for SAARC LDCs

New Delhi, Apr 3 (UNI) To give a boost to the concept of an integrated market from the Himalayas to Pacific, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today announced unilateral liberalisation entailing zero-duty access to India for LDCs which are South Asian neigbours and reduced the sensitive list in respect of these countries.

"India is ready to accept asymmetrical responsibilities, opening her markets to her South Asian neighbours without insisting on reciprocity", Dr Singh said in his address at the inaugural of the 14th SAARC Summit.

The Prime Minister said this arrangement will come into effect by the end of the year.

"There is an ongoing process of building an open and integrated market from the Himalayas to the Pacific, covering a vast and dynamic economic region. SAFTA could have a major role to play in this new emerging architecture", the Prime Minister said.

Dr Singh asked SAARC leaders to begin addressing global issues and cited energy security, food security and climate change as subjects that impact on the development strategies of developing countries and thus requiring focused attention.

He said the entire South Asia will soon be short of energy. A South Asian energy community could start by harmonising systems and methods of grid structures and ultimately move on to an energy exchange with energy markets that will cover the entire region.

"Promoting appropriate local technologies for harnessing renewable energy is an area we should consider for future co-operation," he said.

Dr Singh called for the first step towards improving food security and announced the setting up of a Regional Food Bank. It will meet shortages and losses caused by natural calamities such as floods and droughts.

"I have a compelling vision of an inclusive, plural and rapidly developing South Asia playing its role in an interdependent world's economic development and peaceful evolution", he said.

The Prime Minister also sought early completion of work on the SAARC Development Fund to enable meeting the goals of poverty alleviation and growth.

Saying that South Asia is in the midst of an unprecedented political and economic transformation, Dr Singh said there was economic vibrancy and social change visible in all the member counties.

Touching on the issue of improved connectivity, Dr Singh said South Asia has flourished most when connected to itself and the rest of the world.

The Prime Minister proposed that as an immediate step, the State capitals of SAARC countries be linked with direct flights.

He also announced unilateral liberalisation of visas for students, teachers, professors, journalists and patients from SAARC. Dr Singh said the aim should be to double the intra-SAARC flow of tourists in the next five years.

UNI