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Question

A free trade arrangement of the SAARC countries, the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA), came into force in which year?

The correct answer is
2006

SAFTA Implementation Year Explained

The question asks for the year the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) agreement came into force. SAFTA is a significant trade agreement among the member nations of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

Understanding SAFTA

  • SAFTA stands for the South Asian Free Trade Area.
  • It is an agreement aimed at reducing customs duty and trade barriers between the SAARC member countries.
  • The primary goal is to promote intra-regional trade and economic cooperation.
  • SAFTA was established by the SAARC Charter of Demand in 1992 and the SAARC Preferential Trading Arrangement (SAPTA) was signed in 1993.
  • SAFTA itself was signed in 2004.

SAFTA Agreement Commencement

The South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) agreement officially came into force on January 1, 2006. This marked a crucial step towards creating a more integrated economic zone within South Asia.

Key Details

  • Agreement Signed: January 2004
  • Came into Force: January 1, 2006
  • Member Countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka (SAARC members).
  • Objective: To establish a free trade area, gradually reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade in goods.

Therefore, the correct year SAFTA came into force is 2006.

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