Cultural and historical relations between India and Bangladesh, as well as their geographic proximity needs to be leveraged to materialize the economic potentials. Government of both the countries and other stakeholders are working relentlessly to enhance connectivity infrastructure to bolster intraregional trade and have achieved commendable progress during the recent years- said Pranay Verma the Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh.

He said so today (Tuesday, 02 May ) at a seminar titled “Multimodal Connectivity between India and Bangladesh” organized by Unnayan Shamannay at the Biswho Shahitto Kendro building (Banglamotor, Dhaka). Unnayan Shamannay’s Chairperson and former Governor of Bangladesh Bank Professor Dr. Atiur Rahman presented the keynote paper, while Professor of International Relations Dept., Dhaka University- Dr. Delwar Hossain chaired the session. Expert discussants at the seminar were- Professor Mustafizur Rahman (Distinguished Fellow, CPD), Neelima Akhter (Additional Secretary, Road Transport & Highways Division, GoB), T.I.M. Nurul Kabir (Executive Director, Foreign Investors Chamber of Commerce & Industry), Ahsan Khan Chowdhury (CEO, PRAN-RFL Group), Shoeb Chowdhury (Vice President, India Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industry), and Dr. Syed Ferhat Anwar (Professor, IBA, Dhaka University).

While presenting the keynote paper Dr. Atiur Rahman pointed out that within South Asia- India and Bangladesh remain each other’s largest trading partner. Yet the level of trade between these two countries remains sub-optimal. There is no alternative to enhancing connectivity between these two countries. However, he added that the discourse must remain keen on multimodal connectivity rather than relying solely on any single mode of transportation. Dr. Rahman urged that Bangladesh’s export could be increased by 19 percent if proper measures related to connectivity and logistics could be implemented. Dr. Mustafizur Rahman pointed out that it took Bangladesh 47 years since independence to export goods worth USD 1 billion per annum. However, within the next three years the amount doubled owing to political commitments to enhanced cooperation.

He further pointed out that to materialize potential optimally, Bangladesh must ensure dynamism in terms of implementing infrastructure projects. The PRAN-RFL CEO Ahsan Khan Chowdhury urged the Bangladesh policymakers and implementing agencies to especially prioritize trade with the northeast Indian states. He inferred that ensuring strong connectivity with the Chattogram port for the Tripura businessmen would benefit the common people of both countries. The other issues highlighted by the discussants were- energy trade between India and Bangladesh, ICT-based solutions, policies to set common standards, etc.