10 - ECO and Pak

Contents
ECO and Pakistan .......................................... 1

1. Introduction ........................................... 1
2. History of ECO ......................................... 2
3. Organization structure of ECO .......................... 2
Council of Ministers ..................................... 2
Council of permanent representatives ..................... 2
Regional planning council ................................ 2
General staff of ECO secretariat ......................... 2
4. Objectives of ECO ...................................... 2
5) Principles of ECO ...................................... 3
6) Achievements of ECO .................................... 3
7) Potential of ECO ....................................... 4
8) Hurdles in the way of ECO .............................. 4
9) What can Pakistan get from ECO ......................... 5
10) What should be done ................................... 5
11) Conclusion ............................................ 6
ECO and Pakistan

1. Introduction
ECO is a political and economic organization which provides
a platform to discuss ways and means for regional
development and to promote trade and investment
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opportunities. In spite of thirty years of its creation,
ECO is still staggering to be a vibrant organization like
ASEAN. Although members of ECO are rich in natural
resources, yet they are unable to get full advantage of ECO
to exploit their resources and to make progress. There are
certain hurdles in the way of ECO to become a potential
regional organization which need urgent solution.
2. History of ECO
ECO is a successor organization of RCD (Regional
Cooperation for Development) that was found in 1964 by
Pakistan, Iran and Turkey. Activities of RCD were ended in
1979. In 1985, Pakistan, Iran and Turkey joined to form
ECO. In 1992, ECO was expanded by including six CARs and
Afghanistan.
3. Organization structure of ECO

Council of Ministers
It is the highest policy and decision making organization
consisting of foreign ministers of member countries. COM
meets at least once a year.
Council of permanent representatives
It consists of permanent representatives of the member
states.
Regional planning council
It consists of heads of planning organization of the member
states.
General staff of ECO secretariat
It consists of the following staff:
1. One secretary general
2. Three deputy secretary general
3. Six directors
4. Three assistant directors
5. Other technical and administrative staff
4. Objectives of ECO
Followings are the objectives of ECO:
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1. Sustainable economic development of member states
2. Removal of trade barriers and promotion of intra-
regional trade
3. Development of transport and communication
infrastructure among member states
4. Mobilization and utilization of ECO’s regional
resources including agricultural and industrial
potential.
5. Regional cooperation for drug-abuse control
6. Environmental protection and strengthening of
historical and cultural ties among people of member
states
7. Mutually beneficial cooperation with other regional and
global organizations
5) Principles of ECO
1. Equality of member states and mutual benefits
2. Joint efforts to gain access to market outside ECO
region
3. Effective utilization of ECO’s institutions, agreements
and cooperative arrangements with other regional and
international organizations
4. Common efforts to develop harmonized approach for
participation in regional and global arrangements
5. Realization of ECO’s cooperation strategies and
exchange of knowledge and culture
6) Achievements of ECO
1. ECO Chamber of Commerce and Industry was established in
1993 with objective to contribute to and enhance the
economic cooperation and relations in trade, industry,
agriculture, tourism, and banking sector. It also
realized joint investments among member states.
2. In March 1995, ECO Reinsurance Company was established
with a purpose to supplement the existing reinsurance
services in the region, to promote growth of the
national retention capacities, to minimize outflow of
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foreign exchange from the region and to support
economic development in the region.
3. ECO Consultancy and Engineering Co. was established to
assist the developmental projects sponsored by the ECO
member states.
4. ECO Trade and Development Bank was established in 2005
by the founding member states (Pakistan, Iran, and
Turkey) with the objective to provide financial
resources for developmental projects. Its operations
were started in 2008.
5. ECO Cultural Institution was established to preserve
the cultural heritage of member states through common
projects in the field of media, literature, arts,
education and sports.
6. Other organizations of ECO are:
a. ECO supreme audit institution
b. ECO science foundation
c. ECO drug control unit
d. ECO educational institution
e. ECO trade promotion unit
f. ECO post
g. ECO shipping
7) Potential of ECO
ECO has the following potentials:
1. Its member countries cover vast area with high
populace: more than seven million square kilometer.
2. Its member countries are rich in natural resources.
3. Its member countries are all Muslim states.
4. Its member countries have the political will to make it
a vibrant organization.
5. Its member countries have good relations with each
other.
8) Hurdles in the way of ECO
Followings are the hurdles in the way of ECO to become a
vibrant organization:
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1. Its member states lack appropriate infrastructure and
institutions
2. Deteriorated relations between Pakistan and Iran due to
Shiya-Sunni conflicts
3. Deteriorated relations between Pakistan and Afghan due
to Taliban and US WOT
4. Expansion of militant outfit activities in the region
5. Topology of the region
6. US involvement in the region (US war in Afghanistan and
sanctions on Iran)
7. Lack of financial and technical resources
8. Lack of commitment of member states
9) What can Pakistan get from ECO
1. Pakistan can meet its energy needs from energy
resources of CARs
2. Pakistan can seek the help of ECO member states to
counter terrorism, extremism and drug trafficking in
the region
3. Pakistan can get the advantage of its Gawadar Port by
providing transit to landlocked countries.
4. Pakistan can minimize its dependence on others by
having strong ties with the member states.
5. Pakistan can improve its economy by getting help from
Banking system of ECO and by creating road and railway
links among member countries.
10) What should be done
Following measures need to be taken to reap full advantage
of ECO:
1. There should be peace on both sides of Durond Line.
2. There should be collective efforts to counter terrorism
and drug trafficking and to improve regional security.
3. There should be road and railway connections among the
member states.
4. Trade among members of ECO should be encouraged.
5. Technology sharing should be encouraged among member
states.
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6. There should be joint efforts to minimize poverty and
improve literacy.
7. ECO Bank should play vibrant role by providing finance
for developmental projects.
11) Conclusion
ECO is a big regional organization and has the potential to
become fully vibrant. All its members are Muslim states who
are rich in energy resources. Effective steps must be
taken, on urgent basis, to make ECO fully vibrant so as to
reap full advantages of energy resources.
Page 6 of 6

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Contents

ECO and Pakistan .......................................... 1

ECO and Pakistan

3. Organization structure of ECO

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