The general objective of SANEM is to form an effective network among the economic modelers in South Asia working on regional integration, multilateral and domestic trade policies, environment, and poverty issues. The specific objectives are:

• To produce objective, high quality, country- and South Asia region-specific policy and thematic research based on economic models in the areas of regional integration, trade policy, environment, and poverty.
• To inform and engage economic modelers, policy-makers and other stakeholders in the countries of this region through promoting regular regional seminars and conferences.
• To provide, on an open competitive basis, research grants to economic modelers in this region for conducting research in the priority areas.
• To build the capacity of researchers in South Asia to undertake research in the priority areas through demand-driven training, joint research and policy engagement activities.
• To facilitate the dissemination of information on the best policies and practices in the areas of trade and poverty within the Network, and to stakeholders within the region and internationally.