By NNN-APP,
Colombo : Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Saturday urged the eight-member regional cooperation for joint efforts to fight poverty, meet energy needs and overcome food shortages, afflicting the region.
Speaking here at the inaugural session of the 15th SAARC summit, the Prime Minister called for measures to achieve greater food security, strengthen communication and transportation among the member states to generate greater economic activity.
Prime Minister Gilani called for elimination of non-tariff barriers and strengthening of communication and transportation, cooperation in area of finance and banking.
Gilani said a lot of progress has been achieved in SAFTA, however stressed that more was needed towards its implementation for creating a real win-win situation for the SAARC states.
He said governors of state banks of member states can make positive contribution towards trade facilitation by introducing macro-economic measures.
Gilani termed the cultural heritage and landscape of the SAARC member states as “invaluable assets” that need to be promoted for the socio-economic uplift of their peoples.
“Let us pledge to lay a solid foundation of mutual cooperation and trust for the benefit of South Asia,” Gilani said.
Gilani stressed the need for “greater economic integration” to address the challenges confronting the grouping that houses the world’s poorest countries.
He said South Asia was rich in natural resources and a concerted effort was required to boost cooperation in areas of hydro energy, laying of oil and gas pipelines to address the shortages and enhance industrial growth.
Prime Minister Gilani said the SAARC region was blessed with fertile lands, however pointed that there was a need for introducing modern farming techniques, equipment and irrigation resource management to increase yield.
“We should think of launching Greater Asia Food Security Programme,” Gilani said.