Against a background of intensifying efforts at regional economic cooperation and integration between East and South Asian economies in recent years, the Asian Development Bank will conduct a major policy research project on the subject. The project seeks to identify gains from closer economic cooperation between East and South Asian economies and inform public and private sector stakeholders of the policy steps required for effective economic cooperation and integration between the two sub-regions. The project would thus help developing member countries devise strategies for effective regional economic cooperation and integration. The Sri Lanka country study will aim to provide details on three sectoral areas of cooperation – in the areas of merchandise trade and investment, trade in services, and infrastructure and trade facilitation – and identify possible constraints to further cooperation and policy remedies.
