Dhaka has reiterated that Kathmandu can take the advantage of using Mongla and Chattogram seaports. The Bangladesh government is developing Saidpur airport as a regional airport thus neighbouring countries can use. The call for regional cooperation came up when a Nepalese parliamentary delegation visited Dhaka and met government high-ups recently. The delegation team emphasized the acceleration of bilateral relationships for the development partnership through meaningful cooperation in the areas of trade, tourism, connectivity, education, and clean energy.
Both Nepal and Bangladesh are attractive tourist destinations and called for strengthening cooperation in this promising sector, including through joint packages and publicity. The Nepalese parliamentary leader said the environment for foreign investment in Nepal is very conducive and the government of Nepal has revised relevant laws and introduced some new laws in order to attract foreign investors. Nepal depends largely on imports. India is now dominating the Nepali market. But since Nepal is looking for alternatives to replace Indian goods, Bangladesh has an enormous opportunity to grow.
Geographically, Nepal and Bangladesh are separated by a 27-km-wide strip of Indian territory- the Siliguri Corridor. Enhancing connectivity through efficient transport infrastructure is essential to promote trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people contact. It seems that both the governments have long acknowledged the fact and officially signed the Trade and Transit Agreement. For instance, the agreement allows Nepal to use six transit points including Mongla and Chattogram ports of Bangladesh; however, both countries have not been able to materialise all the agreements for mutual economic benefits. Thoroughly examining the existing agreement on transit and connectivity, analysing the financial volume for infrastructure development and economic feasibility, inspecting the strategic significance and effectively implementing it is essential now. Given the geographic situation, it is also truly necessary for Nepal and Bangladesh to take the confidence of India.
To take the bilateral relationship forward and create a strong bond, the two countries need to review the last five decades of their journeys and formulate active policies in the field of hydropower, trade, infrastructure development, and more.
