LAHORE, Dec 8: The Saarc Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Saturday strongly demanded the facility of visa on arrival in Saarc countries to boost socio-economic prosperity in the South Asian countries which possess 12 per cent of global natural resources.

In his key note address, at a seminar on `Trade and Investment: New Dawn in South Asian Integration` in Islamabad, SCCI Pakistan Chapter Vice President Iftikhar Ali Malik said that for promotion of economic cooperation in South Asia, free movement of businessperson in the region is crucial and India-Pakistan agreement on flexible visa policy will allow multiple-entry on reciprocal basis.

He said that India and Pakistan two most powerful members of the Saarc region have come to enter a suitable trade regime.

He said we all have seen that times have changed the concept and the economic prosperity and member countries have taken the lead which is much needed so that we all could take full benefits of the regional power to eliminate the poverty and bring self reliance and prosperity in the region like other global blocs of the world.

He stressed the urgent need for fully exploiting the indigenous natural resources and untapped mineral resources not only to improve but to strengthen the socioeconomic conditions in the region on the pattern of trade blocs like NAFTA, EU, ASEAN and COMESA.

He said that today we are celebrating 28th Saarc Charter Day which demands firm resolve to work towards making it more meaningful for our poeple, sincere efforts to end political confrontation and act for socio economic prosperity work in unison to safeguard rich heritage and also to rise to face future challenges.

He said Saarc countries badly needed to work together, shared vision, stronger economic linkage within the region for the welfare of the people.-APP