Economic Integration in South Asia

Introduction

Part I

A Policy Brief

Insa Envisions a Paradigm Shift for a New South Asia: A Brief^∗

This brief has been prepared within the framework of Imagine a New South Asia (INSA)¹, which is a people-centred process of inclusive, sustainable development in South Asia—in individual countries as well as regionally.

South Asia: A Reality Check

Despite reasonable, even quite high, economic growth rates in most South Asian countries over the past decade and more, poverty remains glaring, disparity has increased, and unemployment has soared. Also, salaries at lower level jobs and wages remain low; and the people involved have been further disadvantaged by increasing inflation, particularly high prices of food staffs, oil, and other consumer necessaries. ...