Regional connectivity vital for faster economic progress: Experts

South Asian nations can achieve economic progress faster through coordinated regional connectivity, a seminar has said.

Private think-tank Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) organised the conference styled ‘Trade Facilitation in South Asia through Transport Connectivity’ in Dhaka on Saturday.

“South Asian countries have to develop coordinated regional connectivity to get the best results out of economic development,” CPD chair Rehman Sobhan told the audience.

He welcomed the recent treaty on road transport between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal and said there was no alternative to developing coordinated regional communication system through road, rail, water and maritime ways.

Referring to China’s interest in a high-speed railway link between Kunming and Kolkata via Myanmar and Bangladesh, he said, “It, if happens, will create opportunities for massive economic development in the region.”

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said better communication inside the countries was essential besides inter-communication to improve the overall economy.

The government, he said, was taking up various development projects to this end.

He said the government had already studied the feasibility of the Dhaka-Chittagong Expressway, which is estimated to cost Tk 800 million.

He said the expansion of the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway to four-lane would be completed by June 30.

Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) President Matlub Ahmad said, “The treaty for passenger and goods transport between Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Bhutan has created a new scope and possibilities for trade.”

He said, “This connectivity and regional cooperation will help South Asia become a top region for trade and politics. It will also create opportunities for Bangladesh’s promising tourism sector.”

The Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka, Pankaj Sharan, said the connectivity between India and Bangladesh would help both the countries.

He, however, said transit fee should be decided on the basis of relevant laws of the countries

“Many cargos come from India to Bangladesh with fly-ash for cement factories. They return empty. I think it is rational to set a fee after discussion with businesses.”

CPD executive director Mustafizur Rahman presented the keynote paper.

He proposed eight possible routes of Bangladesh for communication between the four countries.

Three of the routes were with India and Bhutan and another two with Nepal.

On June 15, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) signed a regional motor vehicle agreement, paving the way of movement of both people and goods among the four SAARC member countries.

The agreement has three components—movement of individual vehicle, passenger vehicles and cargo. Fees and road charges would be determined later.