SAARC trade body proposes direct flights

LAHORE: A regional trade association proposed direct flight operations from capitals and commercial cities of South Asia, said a statement on Monday.
South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in its ‘Colombo Declaration on Tourism’, proposed the direct flights to help passengers reach any destination in the region at the same day, the statement said.
“Visa is one of the most serious challenges, hindering socioeconomic integration process in South Asia,” it said.
“There is a dire need to take immediate actions to improve air, sea and road links amongst the SAARC member states if deeper economic cooperation in South Asia is desirable.”
Secretary General SAARC CCI Muhammad Iqbal Tabish presented the declaration to his counterpart Arjun Bahadur Thapa at SAARC in Kathmandu.
The statement said the declaration seeks involvement of key stakeholders, particularly the private sectors, which under public-private-partnership model could be instrumental to improve air links and overall connectivity in the region.
Tabish briefed Thapa of activities of the chamber and a proposal to organise SAARC business leaders’ conclave as a precursor to the 19th SAARC Summit, which is likely to take place in the 2nd/3rd week of November 2016 in Islamabad.
He further said construction work of SAARC CCI secretariat building project in Islamabad has already been initiated, the completion of which is expected in two-year time.
Thapa appreciated the role of SAARC CCI towards promoting economic cooperation and assured of his support to carry forward the vision of the leaders of SAARC CCI.
He appreciated the ideas for offering space to SAARC allied bodies located in Pakistan at the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry secretariat building, showing confidence that it would help them work closer and more effectively.