BBIN connectivity

It is good to know that Bangladesh and Bhutan agreed to an early start of BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement for the benefit of the countries involved. Indeed, as South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) has rather become an ineffective regional entity, due to power struggle between India and Pakistan over regional affairs, countries of this region could not reap benefits from regional cooperation as was expected. Regional connectivity in this region has still remained in its nascent state. But there are immense potentials for multilateral cooperation in this region and BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal) Motor Vehicles Agreement can fill the gap. During the last visit of Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Bhutan, the two countries agreed to work on it bilaterally as well as sub-regionally. Indeed an early start of the Motor Vehicle Agreement would unlock the potentials of trade, commerce and tourism between the four countries.
It is perceived that this four-nation motor vehicle agreement can act as a precursor to cooperation in the fields of connectivity, energy, trade and ICT. Indeed, for quick economic development of a region, the need for a multilateral platform cannot be overemphasized and the BBIN as an organization can play this role for this region.    
However, it is due to Bhutan government’s delay in ratifying the treaty in that country’s parliament, the Motor Vehicle Agreement could not be implemented, even though one and a half years have elapsed since the signing of the treaty in June 2015. Under this treaty roads will be built across the region to enhance economic cooperation. The other stakeholders Bangladesh, India and Nepal, however, already ratified the deal. It is expected that authorities in Bhutan would now do the needful.  
Once the agreement is finally materialized, it would offer cheaper travel cost. And the truth is, in Bangladesh, the port authorities of Benapole, Burimari, Akhaura and Tamabil have taken all necessary preparations for transporting goods from India, Bhutan and Nepal under the agreement. Bangladesh’s Roads and Highways Department has also taken an initiative to upgrade Jessore-Benapole highway to four-lane one for the smooth movement of vehicles from three others countries.
The BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement is supposed to allow vehicles to enter each other's territory and does away with transshipment of goods from one country's truck to another at the border. This would surely unlock greater economic potentials of the region. That is why the stakeholder nations must now give it a push.  

 

 

BBIN connectivity

It is good to know that Bangladesh and Bhutan agreed to an early start of BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement for the benefit of the countries involved. Indeed, as South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) has rather become an ineffective regional entity, due to power struggle between India and Pakistan over regional affairs, countries of this region could not reap benefits from regional cooperation as was expected. Regional connectivity in this region has still remained in its nascent state. But there are immense potentials for multilateral cooperation in this region and BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal) Motor Vehicles Agreement can fill the gap. During the last visit of Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Bhutan, the two countries agreed to work on it bilaterally as well as sub-regionally. Indeed an early start of the Motor Vehicle Agreement would unlock the potentials of trade, commerce and tourism between the four countries. It is perceived that this four-nation motor vehicle agreement can act as a precursor to cooperation in the fields of connectivity, energy, trade and ICT. Indeed, for quick economic development of a region, the need for a multilateral platform cannot be overemphasized and the BBIN as an organization can play this role for this region. However, it is due to Bhutan governments delay in ratifying the treaty in that countrys parliament, the Motor Vehicle Agreement could not be implemented, even though one and a half years have elapsed since the signing of the treaty in June 2015. Under this treaty roads will be built across the region to enhance economic cooperation. The other stakeholders Bangladesh, India and Nepal, however, already ratified the deal. It is expected that authorities in Bhutan would now do the needful. Once the agreement is finally materialized, it would offer cheaper travel cost. And the truth is, in Bangladesh, the port authorities of Benapole, Burimari, Akhaura and Tamabil have taken all necessary preparations for transporting goods from India, Bhutan and Nepal under the agreement. Bangladeshs Roads and Highways Department has also taken an initiative to upgrade Jessore-Benapole highway to four-lane one for the smooth movement of vehicles from three others countries. The BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement is supposed to allow vehicles to enter each others territory and does away with transshipment of goods from one countrys truck to another at the border. This would surely unlock greater economic potentials of the region. That is why the stakeholder nations must now give it a push.