International Organisations

SAARC

1. South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation.
2. It has 8 member countries - Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
3. SAARC secretariat is located in Kathmandu, Nepal.
4. Secretary-General - Arjun Bahadur Thapa.
5. By GDP(PPP) - 3rd largest economy.
6. By GDP(Nominal) - 8th largest economy.
7. SAARC - 3% of world area and 21% of world population.
8. 1st Summit - Dhaka,1985.
9. 18th Summit - Kathmandu, 2014.
10. SAFTA agreement - South Asia Free Trade Area Agreement - signed in 2004 and came into force in 2006.
11. TLP - Trade Liberalisation Programme - started in 2006 - members to bring down duties to 20% by 2009.
12. SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme, 1992 - 24 categories of dignitaries are provided a Special Travel Document which exempts visa within the region.
13. SAARC Award created in 2004 and was conferred only once till now and that was to Ziaur Rahman, Late President of Bangladesh.
14. Other awards - SAARC Literary Award and SAARC Youth Award.

OPEC

1. Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries
2. 12 Members - Saudi Arabia