The main objective of the ACU is to provide a facility to settle current international transactions among members on multilateral net settlement basis. The ACU mechanism also provides for a currency swap type mechanism amongst members for trade transactions. ACU aims to promote monetary co-operation amongst the members and has also resulted in closer relations across the banking systems of the member countries.
During the last few years trade settled through ACU mechanism has grown at a rate higher than that of total international trade of the member countries. Yet another forum for exchange of views and experiences, including through visits and training programmes, is SAARCFINANCE. Areas covered in recent months include communication policies and practices of Central Banks and Real Time Gross Settlement systems.