Remittances, Nepal's main source of income, have increased and are propping up South Asian economies. A World Bank report says the region received $18.2 billion last year, up from $13.1 in 2002. The report, \'Global Development Finance 2004', found India remained the second largest recipient of remittances worldwide with $8.4 billion. In Pakistan, receipts from remittances tripled between 2001 and 2003 while the figure doubled in Bangladesh during the same period. Nepal hasn't been taken into account, but estimates show the country earns Rs 1 billion annually from its overseas workers. The Bank has forecast that South Asia's GDP will grow 7.2 percent in 2004. "IT exports from India, new regional trade initiatives, improved relations between Indian and Pakistan, and continued reforms will contribute to the region's achieving this record growth next year," it says.