Core proposals on various issues will be placed before the government heads of Saarc member states at the 16th Saarc Summit. This will improve the present condition of intra-regional trade that stands at only $ 670 million under Saarc rules of origin.
The leaders are expected to push for an easy visa system for prominent business personalities to facilitate their movements and tap the potential of intra-regional trade. The theme being Conservation of Environment and Climate, the Thimphu summit would highlight the issue of climate change . Bhutan has also proposed a Summit Declaration entitled ?Towards a Green and Happy South Asia? and a separate Ministerial Declaration on Climate Change. In addition, issues like poverty reduction, connectivity and sharing of water resources will also be discussed.
Regarding visa norms, the Saarc Chambers of Commerce & Industry (SCCI) have long been demanding the introduction of 300 visa stickers and five-year multiple visas for an additional 500 businessmen of each member state. While the member countries have not complied, a technical committee entrusted to work out the easy visa arrangements has also made recommendations on lines similar to SCCI.
Two important Saarc agreements on Environment and Trade in Services are to be signed during the summit. The agreement will enable the realisation of the region?s immense potential in service areas such as health, hospitality, information services and air transport to augment intra-regional trade.