This book is aimed at researchers and students at graduate and post-graduate level in the field of economics and international trade. The book is written against the backdrop of sluggish progress of multilateral trade negotiations under the framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO) regime which has provided impetus to the signing of regional/bilateral trade agreements the world over. This book examines the prospects and impact of regional economic cooperation in the South Asia region using various approaches; and focuses specifically on the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA). The book also includes special studies on Indian industries: pharmaceuticals, textiles and clothing, and traditional (id est lock, brassware and glassware) industries in north India. Provides a detailed analysis of the prospects and impact of regional economic cooperation in South Asia through alternative approaches Draws on the author's rich experience in the field of economics and trade to assess the prospects and impact of RTA/FTA Contributions are presented from highly knowledgeable and rich experienced researchers in the field.

The 2021 edition of the Outlook addresses reallocation of resources to digitalisation in response to COVID-19, with special focuses on health, education and Industry 4.0. During the COVID-19 crisis, digitalisation has proved critical to ensuring the continuity of essential services.

This book highlights various cutting-edge topics and approaches to cooperation and regional integration in South Asia. Contributions from both South Asian and EU scholars carry the distinctive flavour of differing perspectives, in order to identify possible driving factors for regional cooperation. The book is divided into four parts: Peace and Stability focuses on how to combat terrorism and ideologies of hate, looks at governance in the context of cultural diversity, and examines the role of education in achieving traditional and human security; Economic Cooperation deals with potential EU-India trade relations as well as the issue of how to transform the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) into an effective and coherent economic space; Efficient Use of Resources analyses how the region can achieve more development; EU-South Asia relations elaborates on potential areas of cooperation between the two regions.

Contributed papers.