Unlocking the potential of regional economic cooperation and integration in South Asia : potential, challenges and the way forward

Examines the state of economic integration in South Asia and identifies potential areas for further strengthening subregional linkages. Focusing on the four pillars of ESCAP strategy to deepen regional cooperation and integration, the publication provides recommendations on policy actions urgently needed to increase market integration, improve connectivity, boost investment in infrastructure development and tackle shared vulnerabilities and risks. It calls for the consolidation and upgrading of existing trade and investment cooperation initiatives into a South Asia Comprehensive Economic Partnership500 (SACEP)