Focus on regional connectivity

A two-day dialogue on regional transport connectivity ended in Dhaka yesterday with a call to enhance it for better economic and development relations between the South and Southwest Asian countries.
Regional connectivity is essential for economic and trade development, closing development gaps, economic and social integration and strengthening the countries' competitiveness, said a draft summary that was placed at the dialogue's concluding session.
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) jointly organised the dialogue.
The summary said missing links and substandard infrastructure as well as a large number of non-physical barriers impede cross-border and transit transport in South and Southwest Asia.
Other challenges in enhancing transport connectivity between the South and Southwest Asian countries include perception, determination of transit fees, security and smuggling concerns and a lack of mutual trust, according to the draft summary.
The transport connectivity between the South and Southwest Asian countries is linked and could be used for cross-border and transit transport through enhanced transport facilitation, according to the summary.
It said this could pave the road for improvement of infrastructure and construction of missing links and support future demand for the newly built infrastructure.
Referring to the suggestion to formulate a master plan on enhancing transport connectivity, it was recommended to consider inter-model transport with the combined advantages of different modes of transport such as road, rail, inland waterway and sea.
It was also suggested that all relevant stakeholders be involved in the process of formulating the master plan, including government agencies, business sector, research institutions and non-governmental organisations, the draft summary said.
“We are lagging behind in realising the benefits from regional connectivity,” said Gowher Rizvi, international affairs adviser to the prime minister.
He said intra-regional trade in South and Southwest Asia is the smallest compared to other regions in the world.
However, he said, positive changes are happening; students are crossing borders and people are travelling for health and medical treatment.
“There is no escape from regional connectivity, and even the opposition parties agree now. So, the debate on connectivity is settled and the question is now on how to connect.”
“The time has come to take bold steps to recreate the vision towards building a South and Southwest Asian community,” he said. “We have already squandered time and resources and we will be answerable to our next generation for the delay.”
Rizvi also recommended conducting a feasibility study on cost of infrastructure, the major element for transport connectivity. “We need to see how much finance is needed, what will be the form of public-private partnership and what the prospects are.”
He also said regional transport connectivity will help Bangladesh reduce poverty as well as increase economic growth.
Nagesh Kumar, director of UNESCAP South and Southwest Asia, and Major General Sajjadul Haque, director general of BIISS, also spoke.