Leaders urged to dismantle barriers for economic takeoff

LAHORE: SAARC Chamber President Ruwan Edirisinghe on Wednesday urged political leadership of South Asia to show courage, flexibility and statesmanship to dismantle political barriers and address inter-state conflicts for laying the foundations of regional economic takeoff.

Talking to media prior to his departure for Colombo, he said, “There is immense scope of collaboration in the spheres of culture, sports, tourism, education, research, human resource development, poverty alleviation, and environment among the SAARC member countries.”

He stressed for collective wisdom to evolve a South Asian vision and fraternity, and said that SAARC members should develop home-grown solutions to overcome poverty, unemployment and economic disparity.

Underlining the need for close bilateral ties, Edirisinghe said, “SAARC members must allow greater interaction among the policy-makers, parliamentarians, businessmen, media practitioners, professionals and the leaders of the civil society.”