TRADE RULES

South Asian nations -Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Nepal,Bhutan and Maldives - will now bebound by the South Asian PreferentialTrading Arrangement (SAPTA) whichis to come into force from December 7.The agreement will allow concessionaltrade among the seven members."Arrangements like SAPTA are crucialfor the success of a regional forum to promote cootion in core economic areas and trade," states YadavSilwal, secretary-general, SAARC.