The cost of trade among South Asian countries is far too high. There is a need to simplify procedures for trade, and reduce the cost and time taken to handle cargo to ensure that trading within the region is more cost effective. The Trade Facilitation Agreement (2013), agreed upon at the World Trade Organisation Bali Ministerial Meeting, promises to address at least a few of South Asia’s trade facilitation concerns.
The following paper was written by Prabir De with the Research and Information System for Developing Countries, New Delhi, and Visiting Faculty, Institute of Foreign Policy Studies, University of Calcutta, Kolkata:
http://www.epw.in/system/files/pdf/2014_49/28/WTO_Trade_Facilitation_Agreement.pdf