SAARC

SAARC is the abbreviation of the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation. It is a voluntary association of the eight countries including Maldives, Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Bhutan, Sri-Lanka, and Afghanistan.  Its main aim is to fight against poverty and to work in co-operation in different sectors.

SAARC was formed in 1985 with Bangladeshi President Ziaur Rahman as its main initiator. The Secretariat is located in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Its first conference was held in 1985 in Dhaka. Its first chairman was Mohammad Ershad and the first secretary-general was Abul Ahsan.

Maldives has one of the highest literacy rates among SAARC countries. The landlock countries included in SAARC are three (Afganistan, Nepal, and Bhutan).

 There are many similarities between these eight countries in their people and they're socio-economic conditions. Again, they are different from each other in population, size, resources, level of development, and form of government. These countries are associated with SAARC so that they can co-operate with one another in different sectors like trade and commerce, agriculture, science and technology, and exchange of knowledge. They can work together to improve their standard of living.

SAARC agreements: SAPTA (1993), SAFTA (2004).

We hope that SAARC can ensure progress and prosperity and a better life for all.