Harmonization in SAFTA

UNIDO is providing technical assistance to overcome market entry barriers by developing country capacity related to standards, metrology, testing quality and conformity assessment. As part of this overall objective, UNIDO is conducting a programme supported by EU funding to assist the harmonization of standards within SAARC as part of the implementation of SAFTA. The overall study aims to obtain information on existing and potential trade flows within SAARC, the sectors that benefit from these trade flows that need to be identified and standards harmonization that will be targeted in these sectors. The present study conducted by the IPS develops the background material and assessments that are needed to prepare a substantive project to cover the SAARC standards and conformity harmonization.