"We have asked national federations to make lists of non-tariff barriers they face. We will send the lists to member countries and ask them to address the issue. We hope the issue could be solved through consultations," Ugen Tsechup Dorji, president of Saarc Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), told The Daily Star on Friday on the sidelines of the chamber's executive committee meeting onboard a ship in the Meghna.

Dorji, a Bhutanese national, said the main objective of the chamber is to address the issues that hinder regional trade. The chamber is working through the national federations to have more products on the list of regional trade, he added.

On the meaningful implementation of Safta (South Asian Free Trade Area), Dorji put accent on harmonisation of products standards and introducing of common customs union.

Emphasising the need for full implementation of Safta, he said it should be implemented as per the original sprit of the agreement.

Dorji also called for bridging the gap between politics and business in liberalising the trade regime. "We are trying to invite politicians at different seminars and workshops in a bid to bridge the gap," he added.

The president wanted a strong secretariat of the chamber, saying if the chamber has a strong secretariat, it will give support to member chambers.