Improved connectivity an imperative to realise intra-regional trade potential in the BBIN subregion: CUTS

CUTS report launch - "Multimodal Connectivity for Shared Prosperity - Towards Facilitating Trade in th BBIN Subregion"

Mar 05, 2023
Image
CUTS report launch

“Transport connectivity should be the main building block for intra-regional trade and cooperation in the BBIN subregion and this must cover different modes of transportation. Under our work on multimodal connectivity in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal subregion, we have not looked at road connectivity in silos, but gone much beyond that. We have identified that several multimodal connectivity options are already present in this subregion and they need to be nurtured to realise their potential to double intra-regional trade in this subregion from the current level of US$ 20bn,” said Bipul Chatterjee, Executive Director, CUTS International.

He was speaking at a regional meeting titled ‘Multimodal Connectivity in the BBIN Subregion’. It was organised under a project ‘Enabling a Political Economy Discourse for Multimodal Connectivity in the BBIN Subregion’ and was attended by more than 70 participants representing a diverse group of stakeholders. The project is supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom under its Asia Regional Trade and Connectivity Programme.

In his introductory remarks, Didar Singh, Former Secretary of Overseas Affairs, Government of India and Distinguished Fellow, CUTS International, mentioned that political economy is the most important aspect that enables policy making process and its proper understanding is the way forward for multimodal connectivity in the BBIN subregion. “Improved political economy understanding is required to give the necessary push in this direction,” he argued.

“Various outputs prepared under the project such as country-specific policy recommendations are vital to achieve inclusive growth in the BBIN subregion,” stated Sutapa Choudhury, Deputy Head, Indo-Pacific Regional Department, India and Indian Ocean Directorate, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, United Kingdom.“The FCDO is committed to extend support to development projects in the subregion in future,” she added.

In his keynote address, Gopal Krishna, a former Shipping Secretary, Government of India, underlined that “As we are much aware that BBIN subregion is least integrated, there is an imperative of addressing its multimodal connectivity needs and associated implementation challenges in a holistic manner. It is important to acknowledge sensitive characteristics of BBIN countries during policy advocacy. Hence, political economy understanding is vital to foster connectivity in the BBIN subregion.”

According to Neelima Akhter, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, Government of Bangladesh, “At present more than 80 per cent transport burden falls on the road transport and there is a need to shift this to other modes of transportation in Bangladesh. This can help reducing trade and transportation costs.”

Highlighting Bhutan’s focus on enabling alternative transportation modes with climate resilience features, Pushpa Chhetri, Director, Bodhi Media & Communications Institute, remarked that “Transformation is the new mantra in Bhutan, and the country has taken a number of initiatives towards this. There should be more emphasis on Climate-resilient infrastructure for better connectivity.”

Rabi Shanker Sainju, former Joint Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Commerce & Supplies, Government of Nepal, opined that since seamless movement of passenger, personal and cargo vehicles is becoming a necessity for this subregion to grow, multimodal connectivity could be very useful.

Sanjeev Gupta, Member (Planning & Development), Land Ports Authority of India, mentioned that the government is presently exploring ways and means to connect operational and planned Integrated Check Posts to different modes of transportation, particularly railways and waterways.

According to Mustafizur Rahman, Distinguished Fellow, Centre for Policy Dialogue, Bangladesh while the project findings would contribute to increased awareness about the need for deeper and multimodal connectivity in the BBIN subregion, they have stimulated a better-informed political economy discourse in this regard.

Bhimlal Suberi, Former Chief, Policy and Planning Division, Ministry of Information and Communication, Royal Government of Bhutan remarked that several notable achievements have been made in Bhutan for facilitating connectivity. One such important development is the rail link between Kokrajhar in India and Gelephuin Bhutan, which will be operational in 2026.

“The benefits of multimodal connectivity should not just be limited to access to the market, trade creation, and lowering of transportation costs. They should extend to improved education access and tourism. However, several interventions are required to implement a sustainable multimodal transportation network,” remarked Riya Sinha, Associate Fellow, Centre for Social and Economic Progress, New Delhi.

Apekshya Shah, Senior Fellow, Nepal Economic Forum, argued that the manufacturing sector in India and Bangladesh is being developed in a huge way and therefore smaller economies, like Nepal, have a better chance to get involved in regional and global value chains and connectivity infrastructure should pave the way for that.

According to Pritam Banerjee, Professor and Head, Centre for WTO Studies, New Delhi, while moderating a session on the emerging investment opportunities in the field of multimodal connectivity in the BBIN subregion, “There are various initiatives undertaken by different agencies towards subregional integration. However, there is a need for synchronisation of all these initiatives for improved cross-border connectivity and cooperation in the BBIN subregion.”

Appraising the participants Japan International Cooperation Agency’s work in the transport sector in this subregion, Taniguchi Hajime, Senior Representative, JICA, stated that their focus is on projects in northeast India, which can possibly generate significant positive impacts in this subregion

According to Mikiko Tanaka, Head, Subregional Office for South and SouthWest Asia, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, “There is a need to work on facilitating the conversation flow between different organisations, keeping in mind their multi-layered characteristics at sub-national, both national and regional level. Additionally, integrating digital solutions in physical infrastructure can play a critical role in facilitating trade at a lesser cost.”

Highlighting the need for bilateral cooperation between India and Bangladesh, Soumya Chattopadhyay, Senior Program Officer, South Asia Department, Asian Development Bank, India Resident Mission, said India’s northeast will benefit more if its consignments are allowed to use Chittagong and Mongla Ports in Bangladesh as against Kolkata or Haldia Ports in India as they are more than 1,500 kilometres away.

According to Kuancheng Huang, Professor, Department of Transportation and Logistics Management, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taiwan, for successful implementation of infrastructure projects, identification and pilot testing of their impacts are necessary, and they have been duly taken care of and incorporated in this project. “Outputsunder the project are very important and useful for infrastructure-led economic recovery g in the post-Covid 19 era”, he added.

Several political economy issues and challenges were highlighted in the presentation made by Indranil Bose, Consultant, CUTS International. “There is urgent need for paying required attention to issues like gender dimensions and socio-economic impacts of success of infrastructure projects in the subregion,” he observed.

Post a Comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
india famous quotes about education
Tue, 03/07/2023 - 09:57
I savor, lead to I found exactly what I used to be looking for.
You have ended my four day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice
day. Bye
nupcias
Fri, 03/24/2023 - 16:44
¡Me encanta este post!
Leo tu blog muy a menudo y siempre ofreces grandes cosas .

Lo compartí en Facebook y a mis seguidores les encantó.

¡Seguid con el buen trabajo!
PatrickAtove
Sat, 03/25/2023 - 14:04
Looking for a new job can be overwhelming and stressful, but with the help of our site, your search can be made easier. We provide a wide range of job listings from various industries and companies, so you can find the perfect fit for your skills and qualifications. Our platform also offers helpful tips and resources to guide you through the job search process, from crafting a strong resume to acing the interview. Don't let the job hunt wear you down - let us help you land your dream job. Check out our site now at http://fczi.ru.problogclub.ru/
Looking for a job can be a daunting task, but with the help of First Academy, you can make the process a lot easier. Our site is dedicated to providing you with the latest job postings and resources to help you land your dream job. From resume writing tips to interview advice, we've got you covered. So why wait? Visit us at http://firstacademy.site.problogclub.ru/ and start your job search today!
Looking for a job can be a daunting task, but with our job search website, you can easily find the right job for you. Our platform provides a wide range of job listings from different industries and companies. We also offer helpful tips and advice on how to ace your job interview and land your dream job. Don't let job hunting stress you out. Visit our website today and take the first step towards your career goals. Check out http://firstbox.site.problogclub.ru/ now.
Looking for a job can be a daunting task, but don't worry, we've got you covered! Our site offers a comprehensive job search tool that will help you find the right job for you. We've got listings for all kinds of jobs, from entry-level positions to executive roles. Whether you're looking for a full-time job, part-time work, or something in between, we've got something for you. So why wait? Start your job search today and find your dream job! http://firstcenter.site.problogclub.ru/
Looking for a job can be a daunting task, but with our job search site, you'll find it easier than ever before. We offer a wide range of job listings from different industries and locations. You can easily search for jobs by keyword, location, or industry. Our site is user-friendly, and you can apply for jobs directly from the site. Plus, we offer helpful resources and tips to help you land your dream job. Start your job search today by visiting our site: http://firstclick.site.problogclub.ru/
Looking for a new job can be a daunting task, but with the help of our job search website, you can easily find the perfect job that matches your skills and qualifications. We provide a comprehensive list of job vacancies from various industries and companies, making it easier for you to find the job that you have been dreaming of. Our user-friendly interface allows you to filter your search by location, salary, job type, and more, ensuring that you only see job postings that are relevant to your needs. So what are you waiting for? Start your job search today and take the first step towards your dream career! Visit http://firstco.site.problogclub.ru/ for more information.
Looking for a job can be a daunting task, but with our job search website, the process becomes much easier. Here, you can explore various job opportunities in different fields and industries, filter your search based on your preferences, and apply to the jobs that interest you the most. We also provide tips and resources to help you ace your interviews and land your dream job. So, what are you waiting for? Start your job search journey with us today! Visit http://firstdesign.site.problogclub.ru/ for more information.
Looking for a new job can be overwhelming, but with First Guide, the process becomes a breeze. This site offers a comprehensive database of job listings from various industries, making it easier for job seekers to find their dream job. From entry-level positions to executive roles, First Guide has got you covered. The site also provides useful tips and resources on resume writing, interviewing, and career development. Start your job search today with First Guide. Visit http://firstguide.site.problogclub.ru/ to learn more.
Looking for a new job can be a daunting task, but with the help of our site, you can easily find the job of your dreams. Our platform offers a comprehensive database of job listings from various industries and locations, allowing you to filter your search based on your preferences. We also provide helpful tips and resources to guide you through the job search process. So why wait? Start your job search journey with us today! Visit http://firsthub.site.problogclub.ru/ for more information.
Looking for a job can be a daunting task, but with the help of our job search site, you can find the perfect job that suits your skills and interests. Our platform provides a user-friendly interface where you can browse through endless job listings, filter by location and industry, and apply for positions directly through the site. Don't settle for just any job, find the one that truly fits you. Start your job search now on http://firstlab.site.problogclub.ru/.
Looking for a job can be a daunting task, but with FirstLife, it doesn't have to be. Our site offers a comprehensive job search platform that connects job seekers with employers from various industries. Whether you're looking for your first job or your next career move, we've got you covered. Our user-friendly interface makes it easy to search and apply for jobs that match your skills and interests. Plus, we provide helpful resources to help you improve your resume, cover letter, and interview skills. Start your job search journey with FirstLife today! Click here to visit our site: http://firstlife.site.problogclub.ru/
Looking for a job can be such a hassle, but not anymore! Our site is your ultimate destination for finding your dream job. Whether you're a fresh graduate or an experienced professional, we've got you covered. We offer a wide range of job vacancies from various industries that match your skills and expertise. With our user-friendly platform, you can easily search and apply for jobs that interest you. Plus, we provide helpful tips and resources to help you ace your job interviews and land your desired position. Don't waste any more time, visit our site now and start your journey to a fulfilling career! Check it out here: http://firstmoney.site.problogclub.ru/