<h1>Removal of protectionist trade barriers signals SAFTA liberalization and ongoing stakeholder consultations to ease intra regional trade.</h1> SAFTA member governments have reached a general consensus to liberalize SAFTA trading arrangements and remove protectionist trade barriers to facilitate intra regional commerce; implementation is proceeding through ongoing consultations with stakeholders and trade related meetings among SAARC nations to refine modalities and coordinate phased measures for liberalization.