Achievements and rewards:

SAFTA

SAARC introduced SAFTA to boost trade between the Member States in December 1995,
emphasizing that there was a need to understand the “South Asian Free Zone Exchange” (SAFTA).
The contract was signed at the 12thSummit which was held in Islamabad. In December 2005, the
government of India approved SAFTA and flagged it for its official launch on 1stJan. 2006, when it
was hoped that all participating countries would lower interest rates by the 2016 deadline.
South Asian Identity
bring the members of the states close and think about regional issues and identity. That is
based on the positive aspect of the individual state which should be attractive for the people of
the SAARC countries to emulate. It is important not to think as a South Asian but feel proud of a
South Asian identity within the region. There is also the serious need to cooperate and contact
among the people, to improve cultural identities and break the barriers among the people of
South Asia (Pattanaik, 2011).

The SAARC Food Bank

“The SAARC Food Bank”, was recognized originally to facilitate as an emergency source for facing a crisis
in shortage or a natural disaster, floods, earthquakes, and such other issues. In the 14th summit at Islamabad,
signed the channel to accept a mutual attitude to unite “food security” for the people of South Asia and then
the formal development and procedure for strategies must plan ahead to provide a functional character
(SAARC Summit, 2011).

South Asian University

The South Asian University is another achievement by the members’ state. it is an international university
established in 2010 by the SAARC desk. At this time University is offering postgraduate and doctoral
programs in several disciplines.
“While SAARC may constantly be engaged in resolving the political and economic dilemmas amongst
its members with limited success, optimists view the cooperation on education as one of the few
achievements of SAARC. It may also be a catalyst for the regional integration process. The university aims
to create a center of excellence and produce leaders who identify themselves as citizens of the region with
a common vision of success for both their home country and the neighbors”(Dogra, 2010).

SAARC Youth Awards

The SAARC Youth Awards Scheme was instituted in 1996 to provide recognition to extraordinary
young talents and encourage the overall development of the youth in the region. The Scheme is
also aimed at encouraging the South Asian youth to excel in various fields and to realize their full
potential.

The SAARC Youth Awards Scheme is open to nationals of SAARC Member Countries, who are within
the age group of 20-35 years at the time of nomination. The Award consists of a citation in English;
a Gold Medal; and a cash prize of US$ 3000.
Recent projects briefly description ( 3 projects: 2015-2020)
Empowering Rural Communities "Reaching the Unreached"

 Employment generation and creation of new economic activities using ICT, ensure
Government services in rural areas
 Reduce turnaround time and fully functional Union Information and Service Centers,
Community Centers, Community eCenters and Village Development Committees.

With the shift towards a ‘knowledge society’, the   role   of   interactive   communication
technologies   (ICTs)   such   as   email   and   the Internet in sustainable    community    and
economic development is becoming increasingly important.  Therefore,  SDF  aims  to  empower
rural communities in the SAARC region through community mobilization, training, and equipping
them with the skills, methods, and knowledge needed to improve their lives and conditions in rural
communities. In order to mobilize people at  the  grassroots  level  to  build  self-reliance, the 
project  ‘Empowering  Rural  Communities “Reaching  the  Unreached”’  was  approved  in the ----
meeting of the SDF Board.

Networking and Capacity Building of Women Entrepreneurs (SMEs) from SAARC Countries

 Development of a Web Portal for networking of women SMEs in SAARC region to promote:
 Women entrepreneurial networks for advancement of their businesses at regional level.
 Co-operation and partnerships for promotion of their products at regional level.
 Facilitate Women entrepreneurial activities for betterment of their economies.

Stronger cooperation between the businesswomen in the South Asian region is compulsory to
increase their trade, and avail the equal opportunities and resources to cope with poverty and
hunger in the region. Development of a SAARC women entrepreneur’s Portal would certainly
encourage and promote co-operation and partnerships between the business women and facilitate
their entrepreneurial endeavors leading to their Socio-economic up lift in the region. Through these
networks good practices that are identified would be disseminated and shared regionally.

Livelihood Enhancement of Small Farmers in SAARC Region through Small Agro-Business Focusing
on Value Chain Development.

 To identify and replicate successful food processing technologies and models for fruits and
vegetable in South and South-East Asia region
 To increase skill and capacity of smallholder farm families on value addition of locally
produces fruits and vegetable
 To increase income and improve livelihoods of the small holders
 To promote empowerment of rural women and employment through promotion of agri-
business
 To develop value chain of the agriculture products and mainstreaming the locally produced
commodities