Economic Reporter :
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Saturday said, four- nation road connectivity comprising Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) will start from January next.
Passenger and cargo vehicles will begin plying across the borders of four countries, said the minister said this while addressing a seminar on “Regional Connectivity: Opportunities and Challenges for Bangladesh” in the conference room of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI).
“Renovation work of roads in Bangladesh is underway to provide the required facilities and this will be completed within the stipulated time. In this regard, the connectivity road of the countries will be of four lanes,” he said.
On June 15, 2015, the transport ministers of four south Asian neighbours – Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal, now better known as the BBIN signed a landmark Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA) in Thimpu of Bhutan.
The BBIN Friendship Motor Rally under the Motor Vehicle Agreement will begin on November 14, Obaidul Quader said.
The motor rally which will start at Bhubaneswar in Orissa of India will enter Bangladesh through Biloniya border in Feni via Ranchi in Bihar, Patna, Kathmandu, Biratnagar in Nepal, Fuentsoling, Thimpu, Bhumthang, Mongar in Bhutan, Gawhati, Shilchar of Asam in India, Agartola in Tripura on November 28. All four countries will join the motor rally to highlight the sub-regional connectivity and the scope and opportunities for greater people-to-people contact and trade under the BBIN initiative, the minister also said.
The minister urged the Indian government to take effective measures to implement the road connectivity initiatives accordingly.
Talking on foreigners killing, the minister said, India has taken the matter naturally. “Although this is a shocking matter to the government, such kind of activities frequently happens in USA and Australia”, said the minister. The declaration of red alert is injustice for Bangladesh, he also said.
Addressing the introductory speech, DCCI President Hossaid Khaled said, India is the largest business partner of Bangladesh. Country’s trade and business with Nepal and Bhutan is increasing day by day. Infrastructural problem, non-tariff barriers were hindering trade and business among the countries.
The Motor Vehicles Agreement for the Regulation of Passenger, Personal, and Cargo Vehicular Traffic with BBIN would help boosting road connectivity in the region as well as trade and business among the countries.
South Asia, described as one of the least economically integrated regions in the world, is also one of the most disconnected regions. “If the road connectivity effectively introduced, it would boost the economy of the region. “It will not only facilitate trade, but will also foster better economic and political relations”, said the DCCI President.
Managing cross-border corridors, especially with limited capacity of officials and lack of automation processes poses an immense challenge, also said the DCCI President.
Rear Admiral(Retd) Md. Khurshed Alam, Secretary for Foreign Affairs Ministry and Hari Kumar Shrestha, Nepal Ambassador In Dhaka were present the seminar.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Saturday said, four- nation road connectivity comprising Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) will start from January next.
Passenger and cargo vehicles will begin plying across the borders of four countries, said the minister said this while addressing a seminar on “Regional Connectivity: Opportunities and Challenges for Bangladesh” in the conference room of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI).
“Renovation work of roads in Bangladesh is underway to provide the required facilities and this will be completed within the stipulated time. In this regard, the connectivity road of the countries will be of four lanes,” he said.
On June 15, 2015, the transport ministers of four south Asian neighbours – Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal, now better known as the BBIN signed a landmark Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA) in Thimpu of Bhutan.
The BBIN Friendship Motor Rally under the Motor Vehicle Agreement will begin on November 14, Obaidul Quader said.
The motor rally which will start at Bhubaneswar in Orissa of India will enter Bangladesh through Biloniya border in Feni via Ranchi in Bihar, Patna, Kathmandu, Biratnagar in Nepal, Fuentsoling, Thimpu, Bhumthang, Mongar in Bhutan, Gawhati, Shilchar of Asam in India, Agartola in Tripura on November 28. All four countries will join the motor rally to highlight the sub-regional connectivity and the scope and opportunities for greater people-to-people contact and trade under the BBIN initiative, the minister also said.
The minister urged the Indian government to take effective measures to implement the road connectivity initiatives accordingly.
Talking on foreigners killing, the minister said, India has taken the matter naturally. “Although this is a shocking matter to the government, such kind of activities frequently happens in USA and Australia”, said the minister. The declaration of red alert is injustice for Bangladesh, he also said.
Addressing the introductory speech, DCCI President Hossaid Khaled said, India is the largest business partner of Bangladesh. Country’s trade and business with Nepal and Bhutan is increasing day by day. Infrastructural problem, non-tariff barriers were hindering trade and business among the countries.
The Motor Vehicles Agreement for the Regulation of Passenger, Personal, and Cargo Vehicular Traffic with BBIN would help boosting road connectivity in the region as well as trade and business among the countries.
South Asia, described as one of the least economically integrated regions in the world, is also one of the most disconnected regions. “If the road connectivity effectively introduced, it would boost the economy of the region. “It will not only facilitate trade, but will also foster better economic and political relations”, said the DCCI President.
Managing cross-border corridors, especially with limited capacity of officials and lack of automation processes poses an immense challenge, also said the DCCI President.
Rear Admiral(Retd) Md. Khurshed Alam, Secretary for Foreign Affairs Ministry and Hari Kumar Shrestha, Nepal Ambassador In Dhaka were present the seminar.
