පරිශීලක:Bodhana

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Commencement - 1985 in Dhaka, (DACCA) Bangladesh Fig. 2.29 : Present Member countries of SAARC As a regional organization, SAARC has many objectives. Among these there are some objectives aimed at meeting the challenges of the Asian Region. They are as follows : • Work towards strengthening and developing mutual trust among South Asian countries Maldives Sri Lanka India Nepal Pakistan Bangladesh Bhutan Afganistan For free distribution 54 • Make representations internationally on a zonal basis to overcome common problems of terrorism and political instability. • Ensure food security within the region.. • Establish a SAARC agricultural centre and a secure food reserve in Bangladesh • Take decisions for the prevention of terrorism at the level of heads of state and implementing agreements for this purpose • Take the following steps to minimize the problems relating to trade : 1. Implementation of South Asian Preferential Trade Agreement (SAPTA) 2. Establishment of the South Asian Free Trade Association (SAFTA) • Alleviate poverty in the South Asian Region. • Provide financial and material aid through Japan’s SAARC Country Fund and South Asian Development Fund to solve health problems and to promote the growth of the economy.