Speakers at a dialogue stressed introducing proper transport connectivity and effective linkages among the South and South Western countries, aiming to foster economic growth and enhance aggregate regional trade.
They said an effective transport network directly contributed to the key development and poverty reduction strategies, and Bangladesh as well as other countries in the region could be benefited by introducing an interconnected transport system, which could be conducive to socioeconomic development.
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (UNESCAP) and Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Study (BIISS) jointly organised the two-day policy dialogue on “Strengthening Transport Connectivity among the South and South-West countries” at Hotel Sonargaon in the capital on Wednesday.
Prime Minister’s Economic Adviser Dr Mashiur Rahman read out the keynote paper on connectivity, economic welfare and foreign policy paradigm at the inaugural session of the dialogue.
In his presentation, Dr Mashiur Rahman said connectivity, including transit, should be seen in the context of long-term cooperation on a board front. “It is aimed at progress towards the concept of common economic space and argues for large cross-border investment in relatively small economies.”
He also said transit was, in fact, welfare enhancing for all cooperating countries.
The premier’s Economic Adviser suggested that Bangladesh and India should start consultations with Bhutan and Nepal for replacing current agreements with trilateral agreements, having India as a common contracting party, which should accelerate the removal of trade-obstacle rules and procedures.
Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser Major General (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique said it was estimated that the South and South West Asia had grown at 7.5% in 2010 as compared to 3.9% in 2009.
Revival in investment and private consumption, growth in export, rise in industrial production and improved performance by the agriculture sector had helped achieve such strong growth.
He said it is agreed by almost all economists and politicians that facilitation of connectivity would help all the countries.
