Date:22/12/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/12/22/stories/2004122203160300.htm

Back `Poverty-free South Asia not an impossible dream'

Our Bureau

Dr Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, with Dr Pradipto Ghosh, Commissioner of India, Independent South Asian Commission on Poverty Alleviation, releasing the report of ISACPA in the Capital on Tuesday. - Ramesh Sharma

New Delhi , Dec. 21

DESPITE gloomy poverty statistics staring at the South Asian nations, a poverty-free South Asia is not "an impossible dream", according to a report of the Independent South Asian Commission on Poverty Alleviation (ISACPA).

Releasing the second report of ISACPA here, the Planning Commission Deputy Chairman, Dr Montek Singh Ahluwalia, said the nations of South Asia have many common things to share and should work towards evolving a common strategy for alleviating poverty in the region.

The report contends that countries of South Asia confront new global realities, which involve both opportunities and risks.

Share of exports in global trade has increased but only to a modest level of 0.9 per cent. South Asia's share in the burgeoning FDI in developing countries remains virtually unchanged.

The report said the current status of dollar-a-day poverty in South Asia is around 37 per cent but with large variations across the region. However, it said, South Asian countries present a paradox in the pessimism of macro trends and the rich tapestry of `best practices' that cut across sectors and regions. Though translating priorities and targets is primarily a matter for national action, there is scope for regional initiatives.

The report proposed six initiatives at the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) level. These include a South Asian data base on poverty alleviation best practices, regional co-operation programme on dissemination, promotion of rural technology in SAARC and review of laws and policies that impact the livelihood of the poor.