The document discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the SAARC region. It provides background on SAARC, including its objectives to promote cooperation. It then describes the virus and its effects on different SAARC countries like disrupting tourism in Bhutan and Pakistan's economy. Overall impacts include collapsed demand, job losses, and slowed transportation. The crisis could result in the region's worst economic performance in decades. SAARC countries have pledged funds to combat the virus. Post-lockdown, opportunities like strengthened supply chains and challenges like political conflicts remain for SAARC.

1. Corona virus and Its impact on
SAARC Countries
Presented By: Smriti Adhikari
Subject: International Relations and Diplomacy

2. Introduction to SAARC
• South Asian Association for Regional
Cooperation (SAARC)
• Was established with the signing of the SAARC
Charter in Dhaka on 8 December 1985.
• Eight Member States: Afghanistan,
Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal,
Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
• The Secretariat of the Association was set up
in Kathmandu on 17 January 1987.

3. Main objective of SAARC
• to promote the welfare of the peoples of South Asia and to improve their quality of life;
• to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region and to provide
all individuals the opportunity to live in dignity and to realize their full potentials;
• to promote and strengthen collective self-reliance among the countries of South Asia;
• to contribute to mutual trust, understanding and appreciation of one another's problems;
• to promote active collaboration and mutual assistance in the economic, social, cultural, technical and
scientific fields;
• to strengthen cooperation with other developing countries; to strengthen cooperation among
themselves in international forums on matters of common interests;
• and to cooperate with international and regional organizations with similar aims and purposes.

4. Introduction to Corona Virus (COVID 19)
• Newly discovered
• Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like
cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease,
and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.
• The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of
saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person
coughs or sneezes

5. Impact on different SAARC countries
• Pakistan’s already suffering economy to a grinding halt
• In the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, it's tourism sector remains among the hardest hit
• Initial estimates of the impact of coronavirus on India’s trade were $348m, but likely to increase
given the global spread
• The potential negative impact on Bangladesh’s economy due to Covid-19
• There is threat of losing jobs and due to which there will be a huge crisis. (Afghanistan)
• Nepal cancelled its international promotional activities related to Visit Nepal Year 2020
• The Private tuition classes and tutorials including the Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka are also
closed

6. Overall impacts:
• Tourism has completely dried up
• Supply chains have been disrupted
• Demand for garments has collapsed and consumer and investor sentiments have
deteriorated
• leading to large numbers of poor workers suddenly jobless
• Transportation sectors
• Social, Educational, Psychological factors.

7. • According to latest South Asia Economic Focus: Growth in
the region is projected between 1.8 and 2.8% this year, down
from 6.3% projected sic months ago and potentially the
lowest in for decades.
• The unpredicted crisis posed by the corona virus will mean
that South Asia might experience its worst economics
performance in 40 years, with at least half its country falling
into deep recession.
• SAARC region comprises of over 21% of the world's
population which remains vulnerable towards COVID-19.

8. It is advised by the World Bank that…
• Governments need to ramp up action to curb the health emergency, protect their people,
• especially the poorest and most vulnerable, and set the stage for a fast economic recovery
• Preparing weak healthcare systems, safety nets and securing access to food, medical
supplies and necessities
• Temporary work programs for migrant workers
• Debt relief for business and individuals
• Cutting down on imports and exports goods

9. Covid-19 Emergency Fund
• India pledged $10 million,
•
• Sri Lanka $5 million
• Bangladesh $1.5 million
• Afghanistan $1 million
• Nepal $1 million
• Maldives $200,000
• Bhutan $100,000
The initiative seeks to mitigate the risks associated with the corona virus pandemic
in South Asian Region.

10. POST LOCKDOWN OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR
SAARC
Opportunities :
• Intra-regional Supply Chains:
By growing the intra supplythe South Asian intra-
regional trade could amount to $67 billion, instead of
the current $23 billion.
• Sub-regional SAARC
Challenges:
• Political conflict with one another
• Tariff and non-tariff barriers

11. References:
• AIDIA. (2020, may 8). Retrieved from http://www.aidiaasia.org/research-
article/covid-19-and-the-future-of-saarc
• Anukul. (2020, April 14). Retrieved from The Thaiger:
https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/south-asia-risks-becoming-the-next-
epicentre-for-covid-19-pandemic
• Hans Timmer, V. M.-B. (2020, APRIL 16). Retrieved from World Bank
Blogs : https://blogs.worldbank.org/endpovertyinsouthasia/economic-impact-
covid-19-south-asia-3-visuals