In 1995, South Asia undertook to accelerate the process of regional economic inte gration through a preferential trade agreement. In practice, given the strained ties between the two largest economies of India and Pakistan, the political constraints to freeing trade within the framework of a...

The garment industry in Sri Lanka remains the largest gross export earner, accounting for a significant share of total manufacturing employment in the country. With the expected phase out of quotas under the Multi Fibre Agreement in 2005, the industry will face significant challenges from an...

The South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA), due to have been implemented starting July 2006, has adopted a negative list approach permitting member countries to potentially exclude a substantial share of intraregional trade from the tariff liberalisation process. This study finds that the...

Improving physical connectivity between South and Southeast Asia has long been recognized as a key element in promoting greater trade and investment linkages within the region. As an island economy, Sri Lanka's regional connectivity has been mainly through its main sea port in Colombo, a...

The slow pace of progress of the South Asian regional trade integration process under SAARC has prompted many countries to seek bilateral agreements. Sri Lanka is a casein point with bilateral agreements with both India and Pakistan. While the former is acknowledged to have yielded positive...

The slow pace of progress of the South Asian regional trade integration process under SAARC has prompted many countries to seek bilateral agreements. Sri Lanka is a casein point with bilateral agreements with both India and Pakistan. While the former is acknowledged to have yielded positive...

<heading format="display" id="h1" implicit="yes" level="1">Abstract</heading> The South Asian regional trade integration process to date has generated only limited enthusiasm. It suffers from significant shortcomings, primarily on account of a very cautious approach adopted to achieve the ultimate objective of 'free trade' within the region. In turn, this has led...

Improving physical connectivity between South and Southeast Asia has long been recognized as a key element in promoting greater trade and investment linkages within the region. As an island economy, Sri Lanka’s regional connectivity has been mainly through its main sea port in Colombo, a...