World Bank office of Regional Integration and Engagement for South Asia led by Director Cecile Fruman called on the senior management at the Biruni Institute. The meeting held over videoconference discussed a number of important regional integration initiatives including World Bank’s Approach to South Asia Regional Integration, Cooperation and Engagement (RICE).
Director Cecile of the World Bank and Ms. Mandakini Kaul, Senior Regional Cooperation Officer, presented the RICE approach to the team at the Institute.
Subsequently, ED Nazir Kabiri shared Afghanistan’s vision of regional connectivity for South and Central Asia and the active platforms that exist between the two sub-regions with a focus on the immediate need for bilateral cooperation between the countries for trust-building.
He further added that the Institute remains an active partner with organizations in the region in promoting regional cooperation and that trade and regional cooperation comprises a key pillar in Institute’s works.
The team of researchers at the Institute, Dr. Lutfi Rahimi and Mr. Hassani supported by Dr. Omar Joya took an active part in the discussions and contributed to sharing preceptive from Afghanistan.
As the main takeaway message, both sides emphasized the need for close collaboration between the two respective offices and the important role that the research organizations play in producing evidence-based policy recommendations and conducting dialogue.