Joy pulls for connectivity

Sajeeb Wazed Joy

Bangladesh sits at the centre of three main drivers of growth in Asia --India, China and South East Asia region. But the country has failed to take advantage of its geographical position by developing connectivity with the three economies for various reasons.
One of the reasons is the opposition from BNP, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's son Sajeeb Wazed Joy has said.
"Without connectivity and trade in this age of globalisation, the pace of growth and investment will not increase," Sajeeb told The Daily Star after a luncheon meeting organised by American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel yesterday.
Sajeeb also shared his opinions on confrontational politics, business climate and Bangladesh's potential to almost double its present economic growth at nearly 6 percent.
"They [BNP] have taken the name of Bangladesh Nationalist Party literally and…sort of confusing nationalism with isolationism," he said at the programme.
"Fortunately, Awami League does not believe in that," he said, adding, AL has moved to establish Bangladesh's connectivity with the region, which will facilitate expansion of trade, transport and investment and boost the country's nearly $100 billion economy.
"We'll gain financially. We will get fees for transit of all goods through our land.”
Aside from connectivity with India, the country will have road links with Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia through the Asian Highway allowing easy access of our goods to those countries, he observed.
In addition, as China will be linked with the Asian Highway, bilateral trade between Bangladesh and China will shoot up.
"Ultimately, it'll benefit us," said Sajeeb, an IT professional with graduation from Texas University at Arlington, USA.
He, however, could not say whether the AL-led government has conducted any study as to how much Bangladesh will gain for providing connectivity to other countries.
But he cited a report unveiled at the meeting on the prospect of gains of enhanced trade, investment and economic activities and said, "Many studies were done internationally. You will get it if you go through them."
The report, published by Washington-based Asia Advisory Committee, observed that Bangladesh's location could provide it with numerous advantages and opportunities over the next 10 to 20 years, if it develops its economic environment and connecting infrastructure.
"It is connectivity. Transit is an aspect. India will get transit and we will get a fee. We must get a fee. Why not," said Sajeeb, who is believed to provide policy advice to realise AL's promise for a Digital Bangladesh by 2021.
The government has almost finalised the agreement with India and taken different steps to improve its rail and road network and other infrastructures including telecommunication.
On the impact of confrontational politics on business, Sajeeb said the business climate has been affected for lack of “political capability” of a political party.
According to him, the “only way” to ensure economic growth, political stability and sustainable democracy in the country is to keep AL in power.
He has recently become a member of the party.
Asked whether it is good for politics if one party stays in power for long, he said: "It's not bad for politics. Malaysia and Singapore have made progress because of one party. They did not advance by changing parties."