October 11, 2017<\/strong><\/p>\n The immigration authorities of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries gathered in Kathmandu today to discuss related issues concerning SAARC group.<\/p>\n This meeting of the Core Group of SAARC immigration authorities witnessed the participation of representatives of the immigration officials of the SAARC member states.<\/p>\n As part of the gathering, SAARC Secretary General Amjad Hussain B Sial held discussions with the group and visa experts at the SAARC Secretariat.<\/p>\n In his address, Sial informed that the SAARC member states are considering motor vehicles, railways\u2019 agreements and air services related to the SAARC group for a strong regional integration.<\/p>\n The Secretary General urged for a strong infrastructure and ease in visa and immigration rules to benefit public through the aforementioned agreements.<\/p>\n Simplifying visa procedures is expected to boost intra-SAARC trade, strengthen economic ties between the SAARC member states and facilitate ways for achieving the goals of South Asian Economic Union (SAEU).<\/p>\n Eighth such meeting of the SAARC authorities also mandated the development of security software for electronic visas under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme.<\/p>\n The Scheme was launched during the 5th<\/sup> SAARC Summit held in November 1990 in the Maldives with a goal of achieving visa-free regime in the region.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" October 11, 2017 The immigration authorities of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries…<\/span><\/p>\n