South Asia remains one of the least economically integrated regions in the world, with intra-regional trade accounting for less than six percent of total trade, said Monzur Hossain, member (secretary) of the General Economics Division (GED) of the Planning Commission, at a programme yesterday.</

BIMSTEC countries have the potential for benefiting mutually and contributing to the global economy.

Today, intra-regional trade accounts for just 5 percent of South Asia's total trade, compared to 25 percent for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. This vast untapped potential presents the region with an opportunity for growth that does not rely on the strength of the world economy.