The cabinet has approved the draft of the much-talked-about motor vehicle agreement among Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal.
The regular cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave approval on Monday afternoon.
Cabinet Secretary M Mosharrof Hossain Bhuiyan told the reporters after the meeting: “The deal will be signed at a minister-level meeting in Bhutan on June 15. Transport ministers of the four Saarc nations, also known as BBIN, will attend the meeting in Thimphu.”
The four-nation agreement includes the provision for the other Saarc nations to join the framework, he added.
“According to the draft, the four countries will enjoy seamless transit of passenger, cargo and personal vehicles between the countries.
“However, the tax will be fixed separately by the authorities of the four countries and none can carry any product, which is banned in any of the BBIN countries, while visiting it.”
The cabinet secretary added that the Motor Vehicle Agreement among the four South Asian countries – Bangladesh, India, Bhutan and Nepal – will be implemented as per the decision of the authorities concerned.
“The quadrangle comprised of the four countries has a similar mindset and it was easier to strike the deal among themselves.”
At present, Bangladesh and India have a bilateral arrangement on passenger movement but once all four countries sign the agreement, then Bangladeshi trucks or private cars can go to Nepal or Bhutan through India and they will also have reciprocal facilities.
Nepal or Bhutan is only 100 kilometres from Bangladesh and the initiative will have a very positive impact on tourism and trade.
This sub-regional move is an initiative parallel to the proposed Saarc Motor Vehicles Agreement.
The Saarc Motor Vehicles Agreement proposed the means by which private cars, commercially-run buses, ambulances, and commercial cargoes can move across the region.
The Saarc motor vehicle deal could not be signed during the last summit.
