Countries and Regions

	Table of Contents
p. 14 of 19 BACK | NEXT I. Country Performance Assessment II. Country Operational Strategy III. Sector Strategies IV. Regional Cooperation V. Donor Activities and Aid Coordination VI. Cofinancing and Catalyzing External Resources VII. ADB’s Operational Program VIII. Economic and Sector Work Program IX. Local Cost Financing

Country Assistance Plans - Maldives

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IV. Regional Cooperation

42. As a small island country with limited domestic resources, regional activities such as South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) could prove crucial to the future development of Maldives, particularly in the areas of trade, commerce and tourism. Intra-regional trade constitutes a significant proportion of Maldives imports and exports. The Government recognizes that Maldives could eventually be a beneficiary from intra-regional trade liberalization, including South Asia Free Trade Area (SAFTA), that is being pursued within SAARC. ADB is assisting the South Asian Cooperation on Environment Program (SACEP) to develop a regional coastal and marine resource management agreement, which covers Maldives and other South Asian countries. Relying heavily on tourism and fisheries, the Government is keen in developing economic ties with countries that would bring benefits to its own domestic economy.

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