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It is time to be cautious before making investment in any project centring regional connectivity linking Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Bhutan.
In addition, prior to injecting fund into venture the authorities need to make sure that there is sufficient investment return, opined experts at a webinar on Tuesday.
A not-profit research organisation Unnayan Shamannay hosted the virtual discussion titled “Enabling a political economy discourse for multi-modal connectivity in The BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal) sub-region”.
The research platform conducted a study on how to find possible effective routes for connectivity, necessary renovation and new infrastructure for existing ports and necessary rail and road connections and dredging – which were all discussed in the webinar.
The discussants came up with advice to make sure that there is a joint financing from Nepal, India and Bhutan along with Bangladesh when it comes to building infrastructure on the Bangladesh part.
“We need a success case in regional connectivity which is yet to be in sight. There are successes in bilateral connectivity with India which have to be transformed into regional success,” said Khondaker Golam Moazzem, research director, Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD).
“Before making any investment in regional connectivity trade benefits must be ensured, and so Nepal and Bhutan gain primacy in this regard.”
Citing Payra port as a case of failure, the CPD official said it’s high time the authorities made sure that the usage of Bangladeshi ports must bring optimum investments for the country.
The infrastructure of Benapole, Darshana, Banglabandha, Tamabil and Akhaura land ports and Narayanganj, Pangaon, Ashuganj, Daudkandi, Chattogram, Matarbari, Mongla river ports came under the review of the study excepting the Payra port.
Experts suggested boosting connectivity with different states of India along with Chennai, Visakhapatnam and Pondicherry and Kolkata ports.
In his address, Unnayan Samunnay Chairman Atiur Rahman put emphasis on multimodal connectivity.
He noted that trade between BBIN countries is much less than what is observed between European Union nations or Asian countries while this region has a high potential of enhancing regional trade.
Atiur suggested that, “We should think about multimodal connectivity instead of just reflecting on road, rail and air connectivity separately.”
Taking the floor for discussion, N-RFL Group Chief Executive Officer Ahsan Khan Chowdhury said the need for smooth operation of existing routes and port facilities is the order of the day.
“Export to India will increase in future. So infrastructure development is necessary. There is no problem with mega future projects aiming connectivity. Before that, existing facility must be smoothened,” he pointed out.
Port activity must be easy and speedy. If the port authorities check out all the cartoons one by one, it will cause a big delay, Ahsan said, adding, “We want direct communication with Nepal. The authorities should think about it.”
Currently, 12 land ports are operational. Development work worth Tk 1200 crore is underway to enhance the capacity of the ports, said Jahangir Kobir, Member (Traffic) of Bangladesh Land Port Authority.
“No Bangladeshi vehicle can get to Nepal by roads through India. To make it possible an agreement with India is needed,” he suggested.
In his discourse at the webinar, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority Chairman Commodore Golam Sadeq advised the private sector to build ship with low height considering the low altitude of bridges over rivers.
He explained what they are doing for smooth connectivity with India.
