Speakers at a dialogue laid
emphasis on enabling the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN)
Motor Vehicle Agreement (MVA) with appropriate regulatory,
financial and digital connectivity to unlock the true
potentials of economic integration of the signatories.
They mentioned that the MVA, which was signed in 2015, is yet
to be implemented owing to a number of challenges pertaining
to infrastructure deficit, differences in regulations and
trust deficit.
The observations were made at a programme titled “Connectivity
and Trade Facilitation in the BBIN Sub-region of the
Indo-Pacific” organised at a hotel in the city on Wednesday,
said a press release.
The speakers also underlined that digital connectivity
including the use of new technologies, such as blockchains,
should be effectively used to develop an online trade
facilitation platform and appropriate risk management system
to facilitate faster cargo clearance at border crossings.
CUTS International, a global public policy research and
advocacy group, organised the regional policy dialogue with
the support of US Department of State and in partnership with
Unnayan Shamannay, Bangladesh, Bhutan Media and Communications
Institute and Nepal Economic Forum.
According to the press release, the dialogue was arranged with
the objective of what needs to be done for positioning the
agreement for its effective implementation.
The implementation of the MVA is expected to commence in early
2020.
Mentioning that the agreement will directly and indirectly
benefit the economies of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal,
CUTS International's Executive Director Bipul Chatterjee said
there is an imperative to look beyond the agenda of building
roads and simple exchange of traffic rights.
"It should be enabled with appropriate regulatory, financial
and digital connectivity among individuals, businesses and
government if we are to unlock the true potential of their
economic integration with each other,” said Bipul Chatterjee.
Chairman of Unnayan Shamannay Dr Atiur Rahman, while chairing
the opening, said that “Bangladesh has always been in favour
of open regionalism and the present political equations among
the governments of these countries are conducive towards an
effective implementation of the MVA”.
Pete Gauthier, Private Enterprise Officer at the Economic
Growth Office of the US Agency for International Development,
Bangladesh mentioned that any sub-regional cooperation should
always look at how to create a win-win situation for all
stakeholders involved and hence should aim at growing the pie
instead of splitting it.
Member of the Parliament Selima Ahmed, also the president of
and Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industries, ,
stressed the need for developing women friendly policies and
infrastructure to encourage more women to participate in trade
once the MVA comes into effect.
According to Mohammad Razzaque, Research Director of the
Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh, “There should be
clarity among the policy-makers on why a policy has been
framed. There is no point improving border infrastructure if
countries keep resorting to various trade restrictive
measures”.
More than 40 participants including government officials,
policy experts, civil society representatives and media
personnel took part in the day-long programme.
This news item can also be viewed at:
http://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/
https://www.thedailystar.net/
https://www.dhakatribune.com/
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BBIN MVA with financial, digital connectivity: Speakers
The Financial Express, September 04, 2019
What's New
Regional Policy Dialogue on "Connectivity Imperatives in
the Bay of Bengal Region"
May 2-3, 2018, New Delhi
Supported by