The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is extending a $1.2 million grant to promote regional cooperation in South Asia by enhancing capacity of research institutes, think-tanks and experts in the region. The grant, technical assistance (TA) for supporting network of research institutes and think tanks in South Asia Phase-II, covers consulting services, regional conferences, research programmes and publications.
These activities help mould public opinion and often influence the views of leaders in the region, contributing to stronger political will for co-operation, said an ADB press release received here on Monday.
"The project will promote regional economic co-operation in South Asia through knowledge sharing, policy formulation and improving the capacity of research institutes through studies and workshops," said Shunsuke Bando, economist of ADB's South Asia Department.
The ADB is the executing agency and research institutions network will be implementing agencies. Those studies and workshops will recommend policies and plans of joint actions to enhance co-operation among members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) established in 1985 by Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.