Kelegama, Saman creator text xu| 2007 continuing ng p.3911-915. To strengthen economic connectivity in south Asia, members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation should not depend solely on the SAARC framework, and the agreement on the South Asia Free Trade Area. The natural market integration process that started in south Asia with the high growth in India in particular, can give an impetus to strengthening economic connectivity. The private sector in south Asia, through the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has to play a key role as a pressure group to remove impediments for economic integration. Steps also need to be taken to not overload the SAARC agenda with soft issues so that economic connectivity issues receive due attention. - Reproduced. South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Economic and Political Weekly 180718