South Asian cooperation in industry ,energy and technology

The concept of South Asian Regional Cooperation (SARC) has gained in strength and importance ever since the idea came into being in 1981. Since then, considerable progress has been made at the governmental level among the seven South Asian nations to foster the idea of regional cooperation. However, most efforts so far have been of a preparatory nature and have taken the form of identifying each country's needs and problems. The time is now ripe for the next stage - namely, actually working towards greater cooperation in specific fields with a view to fostering collective self-reliance.
It is in this context that this collection of original papers examines the rationale and feasibility of promoting cooperation in the inter-related sectors of industry, energy, and science and technology. These areas have not yet figured substantially in inter-governmental consultations.

The three papers of the introductory section stress the basic objectives and principles of cooperation. The next section takes up the empirical, policy and analytical dimensions of economic cooperation for industrial development in South Asia. By examining the trading patterns of each South Asian country, they demonstrate the potential for increasing investment opportunities within the region and suggest ways in which this can be achieved.
The third section considers the energy re sources and needs of India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka outlining country-specific and sector/resource-specific areas where collaboration is possible especially in training, ex change of information and know how, and joint R&D. The last set of papers argues in favour of a regional sharing of the fruits of industrial development, particularly in an effort to get away from technological dependence on developed countries.
Providing as it does both a regional and a country-specific perspective, this volume of analytical and empirical papers will be welcomed by all those engaged in promoting the concept of South Asian regional cooperation -whether officials, government agencies, scholars or businessmen..