ISLAMABAD, Feb 16: Ministers of the South Asian countries have agreed to reduce their sensitive lists under the South Asia Free Trade Agreement (Safta) to promote more regional integration. This understanding was reached at the conclusion of the Sixth meeting of the Safta Ministerial Council here in Islamabad on Thursday.

A joint statement issued after the meeting said that the ministers agreed that the sensitive lists may be further reduced in the coming years.

However, no agreement was reached on the schedule for reduction in the list.

The commerce and trade ministers of Saarc member states participated in the one day ministerial meeting that was held in Islamabad to discuss matters related to enhancement of intra-Saarc Trade.

The statement said the ministers emphasised on facilitation of trade in the region, and that the member states should reduce their respective sensitive lists under Safta.

The items placed on the sensitive list were not available for duty reduction.

It was noted that member states were in the process of reducing their sensitive lists. The ministers appreciated that the Saarc Agreement on Trade in Services has been signed by all member states and work was being done on finalisation of Schedule of Specific Commitments under the agreement.

They underscored the significance of services trade in the Saarc region. The leaders stressed that the schedule of specific commitments under the services agreement should be finalised and notified.

The meeting also discussed obstacles to trade due to the presence of non-tariff measures or para-tariff measures. They decided that list of non-tariff measures/para-tariff measures already submitted by member states be re-examined.

It is agreed that a special meeting of the Committee of Experts will discuss the non-tariff measures/para-tariff measures before forwarding them to the relevant organisation.

The leaders also agreed on further relaxation of Saarc visa regime. They underlined the fact that without free movement of people across the border in the Safta region, trade would not flourish in the region. On Trade Liberalisation Programme under Safta, the meeting discussed the matter of timely issuance of customs notifications for implementation of trade liberalisation programme under Safta.

The meeting emphasised that member states should issue their respective customs notifications at least for the year 2012.

Realising the importance of infrastructure in the Saarc region, the leaders emphasised the need for intra-regional connectivity through construction of roads and rail and air networks, the statement added.