The Indian Ocean Rim-Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC), initially known as the Indian Ocean Rim Initiative, is an international organization with 18 member states. It was first established in Mauritius on March 1995 and formally launched on 6–7 March 1997.
The Association disseminates information on trade and investment regimes, with a view to helping the region's business community better understand the impediments to trade and investment within the region. These information exchanges have been intended to serve as a base to expand intra-regional trade.
Contents |
| Full members | Date of accession |
|---|---|
| Australia | March 1995 |
| Bangladesh | March 1999 |
| India | March 1995 |
| Indonesia | September 1996 |
| Iran | March 1999 |
| Kenya | March 1995 |
| Madagascar | September 1996 |
| Malaysia | September 1996 |
| Mauritius | March 1995 |
| Mozambique | September 1996 |
| Oman | March 1995 |
| Singapore | March 1995 |
| South Africa | March 1995 |
| Sri Lanka | September 1996 |
| Tanzania | September 1996 |
| Thailand | March 1999 |
| United Arab Emirates | March 1999 |
| Yemen | September 1996 |
Seychelles joined in March 1999 but withdrew in July 2003. Seychelles re-joined November 2011 as the 19th member
Countries with the status of dialogue partners are:
Turkey has applied for dialogue partner status. This application was deferred pending clarification on the criteria for such participation. The Indian Ocean Tourism Organisation has observer status.
The objectives of IOR-ARC are as follows:
IOR-ARC members undertake projects for economic co-operation relating to trade facilitation and liberalization, promotion of foreign investment, scientific and technological exchanges, tourism, movement of natural persons and service providers on a non-discriminatory basis; and the development of infrastructure and human resources, poverty alleviation,promotion of maritime transport and related matters, cooperation in the fields of fisheries trade, research and management, aquaculture, education and training, energy, IT, health, protection of the environment, agriculture, disaster management [1]. Projects are undertaken under the umbrella of 3 separate working groups. These are the Working Group on Trade and Investment (WGTI), the Indian Ocean Rim Business Forum (IORBF), and the Indian Ocean Rim Academic Group (IORAG). The Association holds a Council of Ministers meeting once every two years. The working groups have business and academic representatives to ensure that different points of view and interests are fully reflected in IOR-ARC’s work program.