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The expected impact of the RETA is the enhanced regional cooperation and integration (RCI) in South Asia. The envisaged outcomes are (i) enhanced capacity of the SAARC Secretariat and its selected regional centers in planning and implementation of cooperation agendas; (ii) increased regional cooperation activities and projects within SAARC; (iii) effective sharing of information and experience on regional cooperation; and (iv) enhanced capacity of the SAARC member countries to implement RCI programs and projects.

The activities of the RETA will be flexible to accommodate priority areas agreed in the joint SAARC-ADB annual work program. The five key outputs are:

(i) Joint SAARC-ADB annual work program. This aims at providing more concerted and planned assistance to the SAARC Secretariat and will entail formulating a joint work plan for the sustained development of the region.

(ii) Studies. This would include sector studies, feasibility studies and thematic issues papers to support the formulation of the policy agenda in the priority sectors identified under SAARC.

(iii) Capacity building for selected regional centers. The specific program components will be developed in consultation with the SAARC Secretariat and select regional centers in order to ensure that they are need-based and add value to the proposed and ongoing programs in these centers.

(iv) Training for the officials from SAARC member states. The training programs will be developed in close consultation with SAARC Secretariat and member countries. Specific training programs could be designed based on the successful training models of other regional cooperation initiatives such as the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) and the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS).

(v) Programs to support institutional links with other regional organizations such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Such links would not only enable sharing of experiences and learning from each other, but also enable accessing the enormous trade potential between regions and blocs. This would ultimately enhance greater economic gains for all partners.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has been collaborating closely with the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) to promote regional cooperation in South Asia. The memorandum of understanding between SAARC and ADB, signed on 12 April 2004, provided a framework for collaboration between the two institutions on activities to accelerate broad-based economic growth and social development; promote cross-border movement of goods, services, and people through regional cooperation; and promote institutional links with other regional cooperation initiatives.

A regional technical assistance (TA) assisted the SAARC Secretariat to (i) implement priority regional cooperation activities; (ii) enhance the capacity of the SAARC Secretariat, select entities and regional centers, and member states for effective planning, processing, and implementation of the key regional cooperation agenda; and (iii) prepare activities to strengthen cooperation between SAARC and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Two other TAs also assisted SAARC for a workshop on the SAARC Development Fund, and the energy sector dialogue.

During the SAARC secretary general?s visit to ADB headquarters on 17-18 December 2007, the SAARC delegation requested ADB to provide a follow-on umbrella TA to move forward key decisions and outcomes of SAARC summits and support the activities of the SAARC Secretariat. The activities of the TA are in line with the operational objectives of the Regional Cooperation Strategy and Program for South Asia (2006?2008). The TA is included in the South Asia Regional Cooperation Operations Business Plan for 2009?2010.