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Regional Economic Integration in South Asia : Prospects and Challenges

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  • Ram Upendra Das

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Abstract

Realizing its importance, the South Asian region has also embarked upon various processes of regional economic integration. However, the South Asian regional integration process is fraught with difficulties, especially due to a lack of understanding about the very economics of regional economic integration. Thus, this paper dwells upon some of the conceptual issues pertaining to regional economic cooperation in general and specific to the South Asian region. It also documents the progress made in SAARC, the SAFTA trade liberalization and associated mechanisms alongside the nature of safeguards provided for. In this respect, developmental perspectives of safeguards are put forth. Some fresh insights on the status of SAARC trade integration process in a dynamic setting are also brought out. The paper also highlights the potentials for deeper economic integration in the region. The paper further illustrates some of the areas wherein project-based cooperation is feasible in the region. Finally, the paper makes an objective assessment of the regional integration process and identifies certain policy-induced and structural constraints that have important policy-implications.

Suggested Citation

  • Ram Upendra Das, 2009. "Regional Economic Integration in South Asia : Prospects and Challenges," Macroeconomics Working Papers 22987, East Asian Bureau of Economic Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:eab:macroe:22987
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Kang Meng & Ying Wang, 2026. "Data-Driven Green Technology Integration and Geopolitical Risks in East Asian Economic Development: A Predictive Analysis," Computational Economics, Springer;Society for Computational Economics, vol. 67(1), pages 451-484, January.
    2. Monika Jain, 2021. "Was India Right in Not Joining RCEP? A Cost–Benefit Analysis," India Quarterly: A Journal of International Affairs, , vol. 77(4), pages 542-559, December.
    3. Tirthankar Nag, 2021. "Barriers to Cross-border Energy Cooperation and Implications on Energy Security: An Indian Perspective with Reference to Energy Trade in South Asia," Global Business Review, International Management Institute, vol. 22(6), pages 1530-1552, December.
    4. Ram Upendra Das & C.M. Vasudev & Madhukar Gupta, 2011. "Regional Integration and Cooperation in Asia—An Indian Perspective," Global Journal of Emerging Market Economies, Emerging Markets Forum, vol. 3(3), pages 373-394, September.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • F15 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Economic Integration
    • F21 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Investment; Long-Term Capital Movements
    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business

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