Local Government and Rural Development (LGRD) Minister and BNP Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan envisages Saarc becoming an effective economic alliance like the Asean or European Union (EU) if friendship and cooperation intensify among the seven South Asian nations.

It may become an ideal model for eradication of poverty, rooting out terrorism, as well as regional trade and investment, he said while talking to The Daily Star regarding the future of Saarc at his official residence at Minto Road recently.

Terming late president Ziaur Rahman as the dreamer of Saarc, Bhuiyan said Zia thought of forming a regional platform for improving the lot of the poverty-ridden people of the region and their economic emancipation.

However, although little improvement has been achieved in the two decades of Saarc activities, as far as poverty alleviation in the region is concerned, Bhuiyan refuses to be despondent. “If mutual trust and understanding can be forged among the member countries, Saarc will be able to reach the goal it was created to achieve,” he said.

In this era of ever-increasing cooperation among countries, no nation--no matter however rich and big--can make a big stride towards development alone. One needs to nurture cooperation with its neighbouring countries to achieve political and economic development, the minister pointed out.

“If the European Union and Asean can capitalise on their increased cooperation, why can't Saarc? It is very much possible if we have unity and sincerity among us,” he said.

Referring to the alarming rise of terrorism hindering the region's growth and development, the veteran politician said because of the geographical position of its member countries, Saarc can play a pivotal role in rooting out terrorism from this region.

Saarc will turn into a meaningful

association when regional trade and investment will pick up through the implementation of South Asian Free Trade Area (Safta). What is needed for that is a better inter-regional communication system, he said.

According to him, the region has great natural resources as well as manpower and if these resources are properly utilised, there is no reason why South Asia should not emerge as self-reliant.

Besides, Saarc provides a vast scope for increased cooperation in the field of social, cultural, educational, scientific and technological advancement of the region, he said.

Bangladesh believes that any bilateral problems can be solved through discussion and we can also take advantage of the possibilities the Saarc has opened up for resolving these bilateral problems, the minister said.