SAARC Trade Information Portal

25 public and private sector trade related organizations from all 8 SAARC member countries, called the SAARC Trade Promotion Network (SAARC-TPN) convened at Jetwing Beach Hotel, Negombo 22 – 25 June 2010 to further develop and promote the unique SAARC trade information portal www.saarctrade.info for the promotion of business from and within the SAARC region.

The SAARC Trade Information Portal (SAARC-TIP) is jointly implemented by the SAARC Information Centre (SIC), Nepal and German Technical Cooperation (GTZ). The SAARC-TIP is officially approved by 38th SAARC Standing Committee held and implemented under the directions of the Advisory Committee chaired by the representative of the SAARC Presidency and represented by the SAARC Secretary General.

The main objective of the web portal is to provide a trade information system in the SAARC region connecting number of diverse trade information providers. Specific results already achieved are twofold: a formal network of public and private sector organizations from the SAARC countries has been established as the SAARC Trade Promotion Network (SAARC-TPN). The internet-based Trade Information Portal (SAARC-TIP), containing decision-support business information from all SAARC countries, has been established.

The members of the SAARC-TPN are now in the process of integrating additional information on regional standards and certification issues on the www.saarctrade.info portal for the benefit of businesses in the region.