India, B’desh must adopt seamless transport connectivity: World Bank report

New Delhi, March 9 : With ample space of enhancing trade ties between India and Bangladesh, the two neighbours should move towards seamless transport connectivity including setting up of an efficient regional transit regime and harmonising driver’s licensing and visa regimes, says a World Bank report.
Titled “Connecting to Thrive: Challenges and Opportunities of Transport Integration in Eastern South Asia,” the report analyses the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA) and compares it with international best practices.
The report also discusses regional policy actions the countries can take to strengthen the MVA and proposes priorities for infrastructure investments that will help the countries maximise its benefits.
As per the report, bilateral trade between India and its eastern neighbour accounts for only about 10 per cent of Bangladesh’s trade and a mere 1 per cent of India’s trade.
“Geographically, Bangladesh’s location makes it a strategic gateway to India, Nepal, Bhutan, and other East Asian countries. Bangladesh can also become an economic powerhouse by improving regional trade, transit and logistics networks,” said Mercy Tembon, World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan.
Tembon noted that while trade between India and Bangladesh has increased substantially over the last decade, it is estimated to be $10 billion below its current potential.