 December 2023 |
 November 2023The Akhaura-Agartala rail link marks an important milestone that promotes trade and people-to-people contact between India and Bangladesh. This is an excerpt of an article that appears on the ORF website. Read More Tags: Rail, Transport, Bangladesh, India, Trade, Connectivity |
 November 2023ADB under the SASEC program has invested more than $15 billion in the priority sectors of transport, energy, trade facilitation, economic corridor development, and ICT as of 2020. To fully realize BBIN's potential, countries must also invest in regulatory reform in logistics services. This is an excerpt of an article that appears on the Tatsat Chronicle. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Transport, BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement, Regional Trade |
 November 2023The King of Bhutan, His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, paid an official visit to India in November 2023. His visit emphasized bilateral cooperation on energy and hydropower, an important pillar of Bhutan-India partnership. His trip to Assam covered a wide range of issues, including expanding rail connectivity and cross-border trade infrastructure. Read More Tags: Energy, Bhutan, India, Hydropower |
 November 2023Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and India Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Akhaura-Agartala railway link during an online ceremony held virtually held on 1 November 2023. The rail link connects Bangladesh and the northeastern region of India through Tripura. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Transport, Rail |
 November 2023The 12th Round of Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) negotiations between India and Sri Lanka was held on 30 October – 1 November 2023 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The agreement is envisaged to open new avenues for trade and investment and bring prosperity to both nations. Read More Tags: India, Sri Lanka, Trade |
 October 2023From mid-July to mid-October 2023, Nepal’s electricity export to India reached NPR9.64 billion (approximately $72.2 million). Electricity export has helped reduce Nepal’s trade deficit with India and increased the country’s foreign exchange reserves, according to the Nepal Electricity Authority. Read More Tags: Energy, Nepal, Hydropower, India |
 October 2023The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the government of West Bengal, India, are undertaking a study for the development of economic corridors across the nodes of Andal-Panagarh, Kharagapur-Goaltore-Salboni and growth centers including Siliguri, Dankuni, and Kalyani with urban-industrial logistics-skills-energy-social sector convergence. Read More Tags: India, Economic corridor, ADB |
 October 2023The passenger ferry service from Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu, India, to Kankesanthurao, Jaffna, Sri Lanka, was inaugurated on 14 October 2023. It is expected to bring the two nations closer together and benefit local traders of both countries, boost tourism, and increase people-to-people relations. Read More Tags: India, Sri Lanka, Shipping, Tourism, Transport |
 October 2023The 15th Meeting of the Joint Working Group on Trade between Bangladesh and India discussed several bilateral matters, including removal of port restrictions, harmonization and mutual recognition of standards, development of road and rail infrastructure, and regional connectivity through multimodal transportation. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Trade |
 September 2023India has allowed Nepal to sell electricity in its real-time energy market. According to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), the Central Electricity Authority of India has allowed the trading of 44 MW of electricity generated from the 19.4 MW Lower Modi and 24.25 MW Kabeli B-1 hydropower projects in the real-time market. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Energy |
 September 2023India Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina highlighted their eagerness to begin negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and satisfaction over the implementation of development cooperation projects. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Trade |
 September 2023The Government of India has committed to finance the expansion of railway infrastructure in the country’s northeastern region toward Bhutan. It has earmarked around INR 120 billion (around $1.4 billion) for the project, which includes completion of a 57.5-km railway line that will connect Assam, India, to Sarpang, Bhutan. Read More Tags: India, Bhutan, Rail |
 September 2023India and Nepal signed an agreement for the cross-border QR payment service at the Global Fintech Fest 2023, a global gathering of fintech visionaries, thought leaders and innovators. The collaboration promises to empower millions of consumers and merchants from both countries to securely and conveniently transact through QR codes. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, ICT, Digital |
September 2023 Pristine Logistics & Infraprojects of India, a rail terminal operator, has entered a joint venture with Summit Alliance Port of Bangladesh, which handles over 25% of export cargo and 15% of import cargo of Bangladesh’s containerized volume. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Logistics, Trade Facilitation |
 September 2023The long-term electricity trade agreement between the Governments of India and Nepal has formally received approval from the Council of Ministers of India. This paves the way for Nepal to export up to 10,000 megawatts of electricity to Nepal over a period of 10 years. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Energy |
 August 2023The Governments of Bangladesh, India, and Nepal have agreed in principle to allow the supply of electricity to Bangladesh from Nepal via India’s transmission line. A formal agreement among the three nations will be signed soon, according to Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) officials. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Energy |
 August 2023 |
 August 2023India’s Ministry of Railways is working on five mega rail projects that will make adjacent borders along Nepal and Bangladesh and certain areas between Bangladesh and Nepal accessible by rail. These rail line projects are Balurghat (India)–Hili (Bangladesh), a new line in West Bengal and bordering with Bangladesh; Jogbani (India)–Bratnagar (Nepal), Agartala (India)–Akhaura (Bangladesh), Mahisasan (India-Zero point, Bangladesh) and the Jainagar (India)–Bijalpura (Nepal). Read More Tags: Rail, Bangladesh, India, Nepal |
 August 2023The Governments of Bangladesh and India held their 14th Bangladesh–India Joint Group of Customs (JGC) meeting on 21–22 August 2023 in New Delhi, India. The meeting discussed several matters of bilateral importance, including the opening of new land customs stations, easing port restrictions, development of road and rail infrastructure, pre-arrival exchange of customs data, and a bilateral agreement on customs cooperation. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Customs, Trade Facilitation |
 August 2023Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the Akhaura-Agartala rail line in September 2023. The railway will reduce travel time between Agartala and Kolkata from 31 hours to 10 hours, opening up opportunities for trade, tourism, and cultural exchange. Read More Tags: India, Bangladesh, Rail, Transport, Rail Transport, Trade Facilitation |
 July 2023The fourth meeting of experts from India and Nepal on the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project have agreed to move forward and finalize the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the 6,480 MW project in Nepal. The project is part of the Mahakali treaty signed by the two countries in February 1996. The project aims to generate power, provide irrigation, and mitigate flooding. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Electricity, Energy |
 July 2023The Government of India plans to develop the Eastern Grid waterway with 5,000 km of navigable waterways, according to Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. The Eastern Grid can potentially unlock multilateral trade worth $49 billion, boost regional integration, and accelerate development. Read More Tags: India, Bangladesh, Waterways, Transport |
 July 2023The second phase of the Jaynagar (India)-Bijalpura (Nepal)-Bardibas (Nepal) cross-border rail line project, the Kurtha-Bijalpura rail section, became operational on 16 July 2023. The rail section covers a total of 17.3 km. A total of five stations are found on this route–Kurtha, Pipradi, Loharpatti, Singyahi, and Bijalpura. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Rail, Transport |
June 2023 The trilateral power deal being discussed among the Governments of Bangladesh, India, and Nepal is expected to be signed soon. The three-way agreement among the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), the NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited (NVVN) of India, and the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), aims to enable Nepal to export an initial capacity of around 40 megawatts of power to Bangladesh via India. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Energy |
 June 2023The BIMSTEC Business Conclave brought together business leaders and entrepreneurs from the BIMSTEC region. During the meeting, participants from the business sector highlighted the need to develop the Bhutan-Siliguri (India)-Bangladesh corridor. Siliguri in northern West Bengal, India, is strategically placed to boost trade in the region. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Transport, BIMSTEC |
 June 2023The India–European Union (EU) Connectivity Conference held in Meghalaya explored connectivity investments and identified potential projects for implementation in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India’s northeastern region, and Nepal. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, European Union |
 June 2023The Government of India has proposed the improvement and widening of the 134.9-kilometer section of National Highway 208, that stretches from Khowai to Harina in Tripura, India, to connect to Bangladesh’s Chattogram (Chittagong) port. The project will help enhance inter-state connectivity within India's northeastern region and promote connectivity for trade via Bangladesh. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Transport, India |
 June 2023The Kamalasagar-Tarapur border haat on the border of Bangladesh and India is set to be reopened in July 2023 after four years of having been closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Read More Tags: Border Haat, Bangladesh, India |
 June 2023Cordelia Express, the first luxury cruise ship between India and Sri Lanka, was flagged off on 5 June 2023 from Chennai Port, India. It set sail for Hambantota Port, Sri Lanka, and Trincomalee, Sri Lanka, and sailed back to Chennai on 9 June. Mr. Jurgen Bailom, Chief Executive Officer of the Cordelia Express, noted that the cruise ship is set to carry 50,000 passengers from India to Sri Lanka in the next four months. Read More Tags: India, Sri Lanka, Transport, Tourism |
 June 2023India and Nepal have signed new agreements for hydropower, power trading, and trade and transit. India Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the announcement on 1 June 2023 during a visit to India by Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Hydropower, Trade, Rail Transport |
 May 2023ADB approved a project loan to support upgrading work on the East–West Highway, which is part of the SASEC corridor. According to Ms. Sin Wai Chong, Transport Specialist for South Asia, ADB, the project will strengthen border trade and logistics, and will improve the lives of rural communities. Read More Tags: Nepal, India, Bangladesh, SASEC, Road, ADB, South Asia |
 May 2023Mr. Amit Shah, Home Minister of the Government of India, laid the foundation stone for the second cargo gate at the Integrated Check Post (ICP) of Petrapole on 9 May 2023. This will enhance border connectivity in the busy ICP where around 30% of land-based trade between Bangladesh and India take place. Read More Tags: India, Bangladesh, Trade Facilitation |
 May 2023The meeting reviewed several priorities in energy cooperation, including joint development of cross-border trade projects and energy efficiency projects in Bangladesh, and tripartite investment of Bangladesh, India, and Bhutan in hydropower projects in Bhutan, and import of produced electricity to Bangladesh. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Energy |
 April 2023India's National Logistics Policy was launched in September 2022 to reduce logistics cost in the country by facilitating seamless movement of goods. Various sectors–such as agriculture, commodities, and e-commerce–are projected to benefit from the policy. Read More Tags: India, Value Chains, Logistics |
 April 2023The Governments of India and Nepal have agreed to allow Indian tourists in Nepal to make digital payments using Indian e-wallets. Mr. Naveen Srivastava, India’s Ambassador to Nepal, stated that the proposed agreement would help boost Nepal’s travel and tourism industry. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Tourism |
April 2023 The Government of India is constructing an Integrated Checkpost (ICP) at Alay, Pasakha, Bhutan, to ease the movement of goods and people between Bhutan and India. Located between the busy trading points of Jaigaon, India, and Phuentsholing, Bhutan, the ICP aims to promote further trade between the two countries. Read More Tags: Bhutan, India, Trade, Trade Facilitation |
 April 2023The visit of His Excellency King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan to India Prime Minister Narendra Modi advanced the bilateral cooperation of the two countries, addressing matters of mutual interest and sketching a roadmap for the next steps. The meeting discussed various priorities, including hydropower cooperation and connectivity. Read More Tags: Bhutan, India, Trade |
 March 2023The ongoing construction of the Agartala (India)-Akhaura (Bangladesh) international railway connectivity project has reached over 88% completion. The work is expected to be finished in the next 5-6 months, according to Mr. Sushanta Chowdhury, Tripura transport minister. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Transport, Rail |
 March 2023India and Sri Lanka are set to begin a passenger ferry service in April 2023. The ferry service between Karaikal, Puducherry, India, and Kankesanthurai, Jaffna, Sri Lanka, will commence on 29 April under the new passenger ferry program. Read More Tags: India, Sri Lanka, Transport, Shipping |
March 2023 Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina remarked that India can utilize Bangladesh's Chattogram and Sylhet ports. She stressed the need to boost connectivity to further grow the region’s trade and commerce and enhance people to people linkages. Access to the two ports would mutually benefit both countries, stressed the Prime Minister. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Ports, Trade, Transport |
 March 2023The Governments of India and Nepal held the 14th meeting of the bilateral Power Exchange Committee on 17 March 2023. The meeting agreed to enable Nepal to export power to multiple Indian states through the transmission infrastructure in Bihar (India). A modality will be formulated in this regard. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Energy |
March 2023 The Asian Development Bank (ADB) submitted a feasibility study on the North East Economic Corridor. Features of the report include emphasis on development of transport, urban, and energy infrastructures, as enablers for equitable economic development for India's northeastern region. Read More Tags: ADB, India, Economic corridor |
 February 2023Mr. Masatsugu Asakawa, ADB President, conveyed to India Prime Minister Narendra Modi ADB's intention to scale up assistance to the country over the next five years to support India in meeting its priority development needs. He noted that ADB is willing to provide $20 billion–$25 billion in resources to further India's aspirations for fast, inclusive, and green growth. Read More Tags: ADB, India |
 February 2023The Governments of India and Nepal held the 10th joint steering committee meeting of Nepal-India Energy Secretary-level. Discussions were held on important issues including expanding existing, under-construction, and proposed transmission lines. India has also responded positively to Nepal's request to allow export of 50 MW of electricity to Bangladesh via India as per export-import guidelines if a specific proposal is submitted. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Energy, Bangladesh |
 February 2023Mr. Vinay Kwatra, Foreign Secretary of the Government of India, met with Mr. Masud bin Momen, Foreign Secretary of the Government of Bangladesh. They agreed to further strengthen ongoing bilateral cooperation, in areas of trade and investment, connectivity, power and energy and people-to-people ties. They also agreed to enhance their cooperation and consultations on regional and international issues of shared interest. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Energy, Hydropower |
 February 2023A memorandum of understanding on linking India and Sri Lanka’s electricity grids could soon be signed to be followed by a feasibility study, according to Mr. Milinda Moragoda, Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India. India and Sri Lanka revived talks on linking their electricity grids in the first quarter of 2022. Read More Tags: Sri Lanka, India, Energy |
 February 2023The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) of the Government of India has amended Circular 29/2020-Customs to allow the transshipment of Bangladesh export cargo to third countries via Delhi Air Cargo beginning 15 February 2023. Previously, air transshipment of Bangladesh export cargo to third countries was conducted only via the Kolkata air cargo complex. Read More Tags: India, Bangladesh, Trade Facilitation |
 February 2023Mr. Milinda Moragoda, Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India, met with Mr. Pramod Kumar Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of India, on enhancing bilateral cooperation in the tourism sector. He also held discussions with Mr. Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry of the Government of India, and Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman, Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister of the Government of India, on a range of issues, including bilateral trade and commerce. Read More Tags: India, Sri Lanka, Tourism |
 February 2023India will help Bhutan develop its third international internet gateway. According to the Embassy of India in Bhutan, as part of their growing digital partnership, the Government of India will facilitate a concessional rate to bring down the cost of operations of the gateway. Read More Tags: Bhutan, India, ICT |
 January 2023India External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar called on Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih during his visit to Maldives. They jointly participated in the groundbreaking ceremony of the Hanimaadhoo international airport project. Read More Tags: Maldives, India, Transport, Airports |
 January 2023The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Container Terminal in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, will receive a loan to expand the terminal’s container handling capacity and attract vessels operating on important international shipping lanes. The Nhava Sheva Container Terminal Financing Project, signed by the ADB and Nhava Sheva Freeport Terminal Private Limited, is a $131 million financing package. Read More Tags: ADB, India, Shipping, Ports, Transport |
 January 2023Mr. S. Jaishnakar, External Affairs Minister of the Government of India, met with Mr. Ali Sabry, Foreign Minister of the Government of Sri Lanka. They discussed cooperation in infrastructure, connectivity, energy, industry, and health. Read More Tags: India, Sri Lanka, Energy, Tourism |
 January 2023A special tour will be operated by the Indian Railways showcasing pilgrimage sites in Ayodhya, India, and Janakpur, Nepal, in February. The "Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train” is an initiative that will strengthen bilateral relations and promote cultural relations between India and Nepal, according to an official statement issued by the Ministry of Railways. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Tourism, Transport |
 January 2023A bilateral meeting on electricity cooperation was held between Bangladesh and India. The meeting discussed the continued growth of Bangladesh's power sector and increasing demand for electricity in the country. Mr. Nasrul Hamid, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources of the Government of Bangladesh, sought Indian cooperation to allow Bangladesh to import hydropower from Bhutan and Nepal. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Energy |
 January 2023The Government of Bangladesh plans to upgrade its northernmost airport, the Saidpur airport in Nilphamari, into an international airport. Saidpur airport can be a key transit point to boost connectivity between Bangladesh and its BIN neighbors—Bhutan, India’s northeastern region, and Nepal. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Airports, Air Transport, Transport |
 December 2022The 720-megawatt Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Power Project was handed over to Bhutan’s Druk Green Power Corporation on 27 December 2022. The commissioning of the project has increased Bhutan's Electrical Power Generation Capacity by 44% to 2,326 MW. Read More Tags: India, Bhutan, Hydropower, Energy |
December 2022 An India–Sri Lanka passenger ferry service is set to be launched between Kankesanthurai port in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, and Pondicherry, India, in January 2023. In a special discussion, Mr. Nimal Siripala de Silva, Ports, Shipping, and Civil Aviation Minister of the Government of Sri Lanka, shared that the ferry service would start in January 2023. The Government of India already extended approval of the program. Read More Tags: India, Sri Lanka, Inland waterways, Ports |
 December 2022Two new formal trade points between Bhutan and India have been approved—in Bhutan's Lhamoidzingkha, Dagana, and in Chhuchungsa, Samtse. These would be operational after their official inauguration. Bhutan also recently inaugurated a new north-south road corridor with links to Lhamoizingkha. Read More Tags: Bhutan, India, Trade, Trade Facilitation |
December 2022 The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) unit in Siliguri, with the assistance of the Government of Bhutan, is conducting a survey to extend railway linkages to Bhutan. NFR and Bhutan are studying the potential for a rail track from Kokrajhar, Assam, to Gelephu, Bhutan. The planned route will be 57.5 kilometers long. Read More Tags: India, Bhutan, Rail, Transport |
 December 2022Direct flight services between Chennai, India, and Jaffna, Sri Lanka, resumed on 12 December 2022, after being halted for close to three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Resumption of flights is expected to boost tourist arrivals between the two countries. Read More Tags: India, Sri Lanka, Transport, Air Transport |
 December 2022State highways in Assam, India, are set to be upgraded through a loan approved by the Asian Development Bank. The project will connect SASEC with Bhutan's and Bangladesh's borders. It is expected to improve transport and increase the volume of trade across borders. Read More Tags: SASEC, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Trade, Transport |
November 2022 The COVID-19 pandemic brought a shift to cross-border trade via rail between Bangladesh and India. An article by Dr. Munshi Muhammad Abdul Kader Jilani, Assistant Professor of the Bangladesh Institute of Governance and Management, underscores the benefits of developing rail freight transport to further grow bilateral trade, as well as contribute to achieving a sustainable and inclusive development for the SASEC subregion. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Rail |
 November 2022Mr. Harsh Vardhan Shringla, chief coordinator of G20 Presidency of India, highlighted the importance of energy connectivity and increasing regional trade. Noting that energy connectivity can be a game changer for the country, he underscored the new cross-border energy trading policy, which will allow power to be traded between Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and India through corridors in India and Bangladesh. Read More Tags: Energy, Connectivity, India |
 November 2022Road expansion work for the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Dhaka-Sylhet Corridor Road Investment Project is set to begin in December 2022. Work to expand the highway from two to six lanes aims to reduce travel time and improve road safety. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, SASEC, Transport |
 November 2022A delegation from the Government of Bhutan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, trade bodies, and chamber of commerce, met with officials of India's Northeast Frontier Railway in Alipurduar Railway Division, North Bengal, India, to explore trade collaboration via railway. This could provide Bhutan with a link to Bangladesh to transport automobiles, cement, and stone commodities. Read More Tags: Bhutan, India, Rail |
 November 2022The fourth and final trial run to connect Bangladesh’s Chattogram and Mongla ports to India’s northeastern states via the India–Bangladesh Protocol Route concluded on 7 November 2022, ahead of its December schedule. The trial runs were conducted to iron out issues related to transshipment of goods, and align the immigration and customs arrangements in both countries. Read More Tags: India, Bangladesh, Trade Facilitation, Ports |
 November 2022Mr. Gopal Baglay, Indian High Commissioner, and Mr. Vidura Wickramanayaka, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs of Sri Lanka, met to discuss the implementation of a $15 million grant by the Government of India to promote Buddhist ties and support the operations of the Jaffna Cultural Center (JCC) in Sri Lanka. Read More Tags: India, Sri Lanka, Tourism |
 October 2022India’s Central Electricity Authority granted the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) approval to export an additional 22 megawatts of power produced by the Chilime Hydropower Company. Mr. Suresh Bahadur Bhattarai, Spokesperson of NEA, confirmed the approval obtained on 31 October 2022. Read More Tags: Nepal, India, Energy |
 October 2022Mr. Alok Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Power of the Government of India led a delegation to Bhutan on 29-31 October 2022. His visit reviewed all aspects of Bhutan-India energy cooperation and emphasized the commitment by both countries to complete ongoing hydropower projects according to the agreed timeline. Read More Tags: India, Bhutan, Energy |
October 2022 Indian Railways successfully delivered 75 sports utility vehicles (SUVs) by rail and road to Bhutan—its first delivery to Bhutan via multimodal route. The SUVs were loaded at the Walajabad terminal, Chennai, bound for Hasimara station, Alipurduar. Upon arriving at Hasimara, the SUVs were loaded on trucks en route to Bhutan via road. Hasimara is an Indian town strategically located around 20km from an India-Bhutan border. Read More Tags: Bhutan, India, Transport, Rail, Road |
 October 2022Mr. Ghanshyam Bhandari, Ambassador of the Government of Nepal to the Government of Bangladesh, noted when he met Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina that Nepal will initially supply 40-50 megawatts (MW) of electricity to Bangladesh. Nepal will increase the supply further upon completion of the 900 MW Upper Karnali hydropower project. Read More Tags: Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Energy |
 October 2022Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe visited the eastern port district of Trincomalee to inspect its integrated development plan. During his visit, he emphasized the need for India and Sri Lanka to cooperate to develop the Trincomalee port on the country’s northeastern coast. Read More Tags: India, Sri Lanka, Economic Corridor Development, Ports, Trincomalee |
 October 2022Mr. Ahmed Latheef, Foreign Secretary of the Government of Maldives, and Mr. Vinay Mohan Kwatra, Foreign Secretary of India, conducted official discussions and noted the successful economic cooperation between India and Maldives, and the progress of projects being implemented under Indian grant assistance and line of credit scheme. Read More Tags: India, Maldives, Infrastructure |
 September 2022The Governments of Bhutan and Nepal expressed gratitude and appreciation for the Government of India at the United Nations General Assembly for the supply of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines under the "Vaccine Maitri.” Read More Tags: Bhutan, India, Nepal, Health |
 September 2022The 9th meeting of the Joint Committee on Water Resources between the Governments of India and Nepal have agreed to move forward with the Sapta Kosi high dam project by conducting further studies. The joint team of experts is expected to convene soon. Read More Tags: Nepal, India, Hydropower, Energy |
September 2022 Bhutan reopened its borders to tourists on 23 September 2022. Bhutan’s reopening comes with a renewed focus on tourism sustainability, with priority placed on (i) upgrading infrastructure and services, (ii) elevation of tourists’ experiences, and (iii) maintaining carbon-neutral tourism. Read More Tags: Bhutan, India, Trade, Tourism |
 September 2022Bangladesh has implemented at least five projects under the SASEC program that will help landlocked Bhutan and Nepal gain access to sea ports. These projects are financed through the Asian Development Bank. Read More Tags: Bhutan, India, Nepal, Trade, Transport |
 September 2022The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is set to strengthen its partnership with India and support development priorities for inclusive growth, according ADB Vice-President Shixin Chen. Mr. Chen affirmed ADB's support to the government's post-COVID-19 economic recovery efforts. ADB incorporates gender equality into the design of ADB-funded projects and enhances regional cooperation through the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation platform, said Mr. Chen. Read More Tags: ADB, Renewable Energy, SASEC, India, Road, Transport |
 September 2022Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and India Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s discussions highlighted several developments in bilateral relations in trade and connectivity, power and energy, and people-to-people linkages. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Transport, BBIN, Energy |
 August 2022National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (NHPC) and the PTC India Limited (formerly Power Trading Corporation of India Limited) signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the sale of power to be generated from Nepal’s West Seti and Seti River-6 Projects in Nepal. Read More Tags: Nepal, India, Energy |
 August 2022Maldives’ Hanimaadhoo International Airport will be redeveloped by JMC Projects Limited of India. According to Maldives’ Economic Ministry, the project was awarded to JMC for $136.6 million. Read More Tags: Maldives, Airports, India, Connectivity |
 August 2022Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s visit to India highlighted the growth in people-to-people ties between India and Maldives. India has become the top source for Maldives' tourism market. According to the press release, implementation of visa-free travel, improved air connectivity, exchange programs, and promoting cultural and economic linkages helped boost tourism. Read More Tags: India, Maldives, Tourism, Connectivity |
 July 2022Research on the impact of cross-border energy trade in Bhutan noted that the country’s electricity exports in 2020 increased due to the guaranteed market for Bhutan’s excess electricity under the power purchase agreements (PPA) between Bhutan and India. Bhutan’s energy sector also noted improved hydrology in the same year. Read More Tags: Bhutan, India, Energy |
July 2022 The Governments of Bangladesh and India are preparing to conduct comprehensive trial runs for the transshipment of cargo to India's northeastern regions via Bangladesh’s Chattogram and Mongla ports. The planned trial runs aim to iron out issues and align the immigration and customs arrangements in both countries. Read More Tags: India, Bangladesh, Trade Facilitation, Transport |
 July 2022The potential of the Siliguri corridor and its surroundings to be developed as a logistics hub for India’s northeastern region, and Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal, was emphasized by the CII at Logi Connect 2022. Developing Siliguri as a logistic hub would facilitate movement of goods to other states of India and its neighboring countries. Read More Tags: Logistics, Act East Policy, Trade Facilitation, Transport, Transit, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal |
 July 2022Bhutan’s Minister for Economic Affairs Loknath Sharma met with ministers from relevant agencies in India. The meeting focused on hydropower cooperation between the two countries and the future of their hydropower cooperation. The meeting also agreed to work toward the closure of the Kholongchhu Hydroelectric Project Limited joint venture company. Read More Tags: Bhutan, India, Energy |
 July 2022Regional forums such as South Asia Forum for Infrastructure Regulation, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, and South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation bring together stakeholders and more local or regional institutions are needed to gain optimal benefit from regional cooperation. This commentary appears on the Dhaka Tribune. Read More Tags: Energy, SASEC, SAARC, South Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal |
 June 2022 |
 June 2022Bangladesh is undertaking projects to strengthen interregional connectivity, such as ADB-supported South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) initiatives on cross-border connectivity. These SASEC initiatives, through regional and national SASEC transport projects, will develop infrastructure and systems that will improve cross-border connectivity and boost intraregional trade. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Inland waterways, Transport |
June 2022 Nepal now sells a total of 364 megawatts (MW) of electricity to India through the Indian Energy Exchange Limited (IEX). Nepal started exporting an additional 144 MW of electricity to India generated by the Kaligandaki hydropower plant on 5 June 2022. Read More Tags: Nepal, India, Energy |
 June 2022The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) inaugurated the new National Food Laboratory (NFL) in Raxaul, Bihar, on 5 June 2022. The facility is equipped with advanced technology and infrastructure, capable of testing food samples exported from both India and Nepal. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Trade Facilitation |
 June 2022Railway ministers of India and Bangladesh virtually flagged off the Mitali Express on 1 June 2022. The Railway Ministry of India underscored that Mitali Express will boost both countries’ tourism by connecting Bangladesh with northern West Bengal and the northeastern region of India. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Rail, Transport |
 May 2022Mr. S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of the Government of India, highlighted in his inaugural address at the Natural Allies in Development and Interdependence (NADI) Asian Confluence River Conclave 2022 the importance of connectivity. He underscored that the coming together of the “Act East” and the “Neighborhood First” policies have an enormous impact extending beyond South Asia. Read More Tags: India, BBIN, Act East Policy, Neighborhood First Policy, Myanmar, Connectivity, Trade Facilitation, Transport, Energy |
May 2022 |
 May 2022The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) is preparing a proposal to construct a 400-kilovolt transmission line along the Postal Highway. The proposed transmission line could be an alternative to the 400kV transmission line being built along the East-West Highway. Read More Tags: Nepal, Energy, India, BBIN |
 April 2022Mr. Tandi Dorji, Foreign Minister of the Government of Bhutan, and Mr. S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of the Government of India, jointly inaugurated three projects in Bhutan that were completed with Indian assistance. These include the Chubachu-Jungzhina four-lane road, a major trunk road in Thimphu that helps ease traffic congestion. Read More Tags: Bhutan, India, Transport |
April 2022 Mr. R. K. Singh, Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy of the Government of India, and Ms. Aminath Shauna, Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Technology of the Government of Maldives held discussions on establishing transmission interconnection for renewable power transfer. Their meeting proposed signing two MoUs: (i) energy cooperation, and (ii) transmission interconnection. Read More Tags: India, Maldives, Energy |
 April 2022Mr. Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Foreign Secretary of the Government of India, convened the first meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Coordination Group (IMCG) on 12 April 2022. The IMCG is a high-level mechanism aimed at mainstreaming India’s "Neighborhood First" policy that aims to build greater connectivity, forge stronger inter-linkages, and greater people-to-people contact. Read More Tags: India, Transport, Trade Facilitation, Energy |
 April 2022The railway service between India and Nepal for passengers, the Janakpur (Nepal) -- Jayanagar (India) railway service, was inaugurated by India Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba on 3 April 2022 at a videoconferencing event in New Delhi, India. This is Nepal’s first broad gauge rail service. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Rail, Transport |
 March 2022The Land Ports Authority of India aims to establish an Integrated Check Post (ICP) in Sabroom (India) by the end of 2022. This ICP is envisioned to facilitate seamless trade and people-to-people movement with Bangladesh. Sabroom is a border town in the South Tripura district. Read More Tags: Logistics, ICP, India, Tripura, Trade Facilitation |
 March 2022Survey work being done for three Indian Railway projects in Tripura has been completed, including survey for the Belonia (India) – Feni (Bangladesh) line. This is a 30-kilometer railway link that is planned to be the second Indo-Bangla railway connectivity. Read More Tags: India, India, Bangladesh, Rail |
March 2022 Survey work being done for three Indian Railway projects in Tripura has been completed, including survey for the Belonia (India) – Feni (Bangladesh) line. This is a 30-kilometer railway link that is planned to be the second Indo-Bangla railway connectivity. Read More Tags: India, India, Bangladesh, Rail |
March 2022 Construction of the Mainahiya (Rupandehi, Nepal)–Sampatiya (Uttar Pradesh, India) 132 kiloVolt transmission line has achieved 60% progress, noted the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). This transmission line is important to facilitate electricity trade between India and Nepal. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Energy |
 March 2022The MV Lal Bahadur Shastri, a cargo vessel of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), arrived at the Pandu Port in Assam, India, on 6 March 2022. This completes a journey that began in Patna Port in Bihar, India. Its route included National Waterway-1, Indo-Bangladesh Protocol route, and National Waterway-2. Read More Tags: India, Bangladesh, Shipping |
 March 2022Bangladesh is now India's 6th largest trade partner. This significant growth in bilateral trade between the two countries was highlighted at the Commerce Secretary level meeting held on 4 March 2022 in New Delhi, India. The meeting held extensive discussions on issues of mutual interest, including development of railway infrastructure and port infrastructure. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Rail, Ports |
 February 2022The Governments of India and Nepal held the 9th Joint Working Group and Joint Steering Committee meetings on bilateral power sector cooperation. The meeting discussions focused on joint development of power generation projects in Nepal; joint development of cross-border power transmission infrastructure; power trade; and capacity building assistance. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Energy |
 February 2022The Government of India will create a new waterway connectivity on the Gomati river in Tripura that will facilitate improved trade and movement between Bangladesh and India, and ease transport bottlenecks in the country’s northeastern region. Passenger and cargo vessels will use the new route once opened. Read More Tags: Waterways, Transport, Shipping, Bangladesh, India |
 February 2022India flagged off a pilot run of a cargo ship using waterways from Patna Port in Bihar, India, for the Pandu Port in Assam, India, via the Jamuna River,Bangladesh, on 5 February 2022. This 2,350 kilometer route that will be traveled by the carrier MV Lal Bahadur Shastri commenced from India’s western part to its northeastern region, passing through Bangladesh, under the Bangladesh-India Protocol for Inland Water Trade and Transit. Read More Tags: Waterways, Shipping, Transport, Bangladesh, India |
 February 2022The Governments of India and Nepal signed a Memorandum of Understanding to build a bridge over Mahakali River with grant assistance from the Government of India. The planned 110-meter bridge will connect Dharchula (Uttarakhand, India) with Darchula (Sudurpaschim, Nepal). Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Transport |
 January 2022Mr. G Kishan Reddy, Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Development of North Eastern Region of the Government of India, lauded the Asian Development Bank for the excellent study carried out on the planned economic corridor in India’s northeastern region. He stated that the ministry will support the implementation of the ambitious projects for the economic corridor. Read More Tags: India, Economic corridor |
 January 2022On International Customs Day, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) of the Government of India highlighted how Indian Customs is leveraging technology for trade facilitation. Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs of the Government of India, recognized CBIC's focus on building a digital culture and enacting rapid digital transformation. Read More Tags: India, Trade Facilitation |
 January 2022Mr. S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of the Government of India, held a virtual meeting with Mr. Basil Rajapaksa, Finance Minister of the Government of Sri Lanka on 15 January 2022. The meeting reiterated India’s continued support for Sri Lanka, and emphasized that both countries stand to gain from forming closer economic interlinkages. Read More Tags: India, Sri Lanka, Trade, Transport, Energy |
 January 2022Mr. Munu Mahawar, High Commissioner of India to Maldives, paid a courtesy call to Mr. Abdulla Shahid, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Maldives. They reviewed ongoing developmental projects being implemented with the support of the Government of India and other cooperation program between India and Maldives. Read More Tags: India, Maldives, Cooperation |
 January 2022India has begun dredging waterways along the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers. Development of the waterways will allow passenger and cargo ships from Assam and the rest of northeastern India to travel to Haldia in West Bengal, India, via Bangladesh. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Transport |
December 2021 The Governments of Bangladesh and India renewed their power trading agreement on 2 December 2021. Under the new agreement, India through the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited will supply 192 megawatts (MW) of power to Bangladesh. This is an increase of 20% from the 160 MW India previously supplied Bangladesh. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Energy |
 December 2021ADB and the Government of India signed a loan agreement for the Industrial Corridor Development Program (Subprogram 1). Under the Program, ADB will lend $250 million (about Rs 1,872 crore) support to India. Mr. Rajat Kumar Mishra, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Finance, signed on behalf of the Government of India, and Mr. Takeo Konishi, Country Director of ADB India Resident Mission, signed on behalf of ADB. Read More Tags: ADB, India, Economic corridor, Investments, manufacturing, Logistics |
 November 2021The Government of West Bengal, India, will set up seven Integrated Check Posts (ICPs), which includes five ICPS on borders with Bangladesh and one each on borders with Bhutan and Nepal, according to the Land Port Authority of India. Read More Tags: India, Trade Facilitation, ICP |
 November 2021The Governments of Bhutan and India agreed to open seven more entry and exit points to further increase trade and connectivity. The two countries formalized the agreement through Letters of Exchange, forming an addendum to the 2016 Protocol of India-Bhutan Agreement on Trade, Commerce, and Transit. Read More Tags: Bhutan, India, Trade Facilitation |
 November 2021The Central Electricity Authority of the Government of India gave Nepal the go-ahead to to sell its electricity in India’s power exchange market, the India Energy Exchange Limited, upon the approval of India’s Ministry of Power. Nepal is permitted to sell 39 megawatts (MW) of electricity produced by the 24MW Trishuli Hydropower Project and the 15MW Devighat Hydropower Project. Both projects were developed with Indian assistance. Read More Tags: Nepal, India, Electricity |
October 2021 The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved the Industrial Corridor Development Program (Subprogram 1) loan support for India worth $250 million with a $1 million “Knowledge Services for Industrial Corridor Development Program” technical assistance support. Read More Tags: ADB, India, Economic corridor |
 October 2021The Government of India financed the gauge conversion of the Jaynagar (India)-Kurtha (Nepal) cross-border rail link from narrow gauge to broad gauge. On 23 October 2021, India handed over the completed section totaling 34.9 kilometer to Nepal. Read More Tags: Rail, Transport, India, Nepal |
 October 2021The Government of India, led by India Prime Minister Narendra Modi, launched the “Gati Shakti—National Masterplan for Multimodal Connectivity”. Gati Shakti brings together 16 ministries for integrated planning and coordinated implementation of infrastructure connectivity projects. Read More Tags: Gati Shakti, India, Infrastructure, Logistics |
 September 2021Passenger train services between India and Bangladesh is set to begin soon through the Haldibari-Chilahati border route. This was announced by Mr. Toufique Hasan, Bangladesh’s Deputy High Commissioner in Kolkata, on 9 September 2020. Read More Tags: Rail Transport, India, COVID-19, Bangladesh |
 August 2021Bangladesh is constructing seven new land ports to improve land connectivity with India's northeast region. The ports will be set up in cooperation with the states of Assam, Meghalaya, and Tripura in India to increase trade and improve regional connectivity. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Trade, Regional Cooperation |
 August 2021Indian Railways and Bangladesh Railway commenced the regular operation of freight trains on the restored Haldibari (India) - Chilahati (Bangladesh) Rail Route. Indian Railways dispatched a freight train loaded with stones from the Damdim Station of Northeast Frontier Railway (India) to Bangladesh. Read More Tags: Rail, India, Bangladesh, Transport |
 July 2021Ms. Riya Sinha, researcher for Research Associate at the Centre for Social and Economic Progress, New Delhi, looks at the increasing trade and passenger movement between India and neighbors Nepal, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, and examines Delhi's push for border infrastructure development. This is an excerpt from a piece that appears on The Print. Read More Tags: India, Trade Facilitation, Trade Facilitation Agreement, Regional Integration, South Asia |
 June 2021A Letter of Exchange for the revision of the Railway Service Agreement between Nepal and India proposes to allow all authorized private container train operators from India and Nepal to utilize the Indian Railway network to transport freight containers for Nepal's imports or exports, and transport goods to and/or from other border points besides Raxaul (India)/Birgunj (Nepal). Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Transport, Rail, Trade Facilitation, Transit Facilitation |
 June 2021 |
 June 2021Import of goods from India to Bangladesh by trains have seen a significant rise during the coronavirus pandemic. To serve the growing demand for imports by rail and smoothen the transit of goods, work on a double railway line from the Petrapole port in India to the Benapole railway station in Bangladesh has commenced. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Trade Facilitation, Trade Facilitation |
 June 2021The Asian Development Bank and the Government of India signed the Tamil Nadu Industrial Connectivity Project on 16 June 2021. Under the agreement, ADB will finance a $484 million loan to improve transport connectivity and facilitate industrial development in the Chennai–Kanyakumari Industrial Corridor. Read More Tags: ADB, Economic corridor, India, Transport |
 June 2021The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) is pushing for the development of waterway connections to increase trade between India's northeastern states and Bangladesh. According to Mr. Biswajit Chakraborty, FICCI director for the northeast chapter, developing waterway connectivity would benefit the lives and livelihoods of people living across the Meghna basin. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Trade, Inland waterways |
 May 2021The small hydropower plant at Chandannath Municipality in Nepal's Jumla District was rehabilitated with financial assistance from the Government of India. The plant was virtually inaugurated by the Embassy of India in Kathmandu, Nepal, the District Coordination Committee of Jumla, and the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) on 5 May. Read More Tags: Hydropower, Nepal, India, Energy |
April 2021 Experts discussed unique opportunities in river tourism between Bangladesh and India at a public-private dialogue on India-Bangladesh cross-border tourism and cruise operations organized by CUTS International on 29 April 2021. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Inland waterways, Transport, Tourism |
 April 2021The Indian Energy Exchange (IEX) has launched the Cross Border Electricity Trade (CBET) on its platform. The IEX aims to provide the most competitive benchmark for power prices and valuable signals for the value chain. It will work closely with designated nodal agencies for cross border electricity trade to facilitate inter-country power trade through the exchange market. Read More Tags: Energy, India, Trade, Hydropower, BBIN |
 April 2021Mr. Abdulla Shahid, Foreign Minister of the Government of Maldives, met with Mr. S Jaishankar, Foreign Minister of the Government of India, on 16 April 2021, as part of his two-day visit to India. The two foreign ministers reviewed the status of ongoing projects in Maldives backed by India. India supports around $2 billion worth of projects in Maldives, including ports, roads, bridges, water and sanitation, and socio-economic development projects. Read More Tags: India, Maldives, Transport, Connectivity |
 April 2021The Ministry of Commerce and Industry of the Government of India has launched a Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) Trade Facilitation Mobile App. India aims to move toward paperless, automated processing systems, simple procedures, online data exchange between departments, and digital payments and acknowledgements. Read More Tags: Trade Facilitation, Trade, India |
 March 2021India Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a state visit to Bangladesh on 26-27 March 2021 to join celebrations for the golden jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence and the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Bangladesh and India are also commemorating 50 years since the establishment of their diplomatic relations. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, BBIN, Connectivity, Trade Facilitation, Transport |
March 2021 A shipment of lychee drinks will be traveling through inland waterways from Narsingdi, Bangladesh, to Kolkata, India. According to Mr. Mohammed Mezbah Uddin Chowdhury, Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping, Bangladesh, developing inland waterways will lower the cost of shipping and increase trade between India and Bangladesh. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Waterways, Transport, Trade |
 March 2021The Kholongchhu Hydro Energy Ltd. (KHEL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with India’s power sector financers under the Ministry of Power for the 600-megawatt (MW) hydropower project in eastern Bhutan. KHEL is the first hydropower joint venture between Bhutan and India. Read More Tags: Bhutan, India, Energy, Hydropower |
 March 2021A multimodal transport project initiative of the Ministry of Civil Aviation of the Government of India, the Airports Authority of India Cargo Logistics and Allied Services Company Limited, and SpiceXpress, the air cargo division of SpiceJet, transported 48 tonnes of cargo from Dhaka, Bangladesh, to Spain. Read More Tags: India, Bangladesh, Trade Facilitation, Transit |
 March 2021South Asia needs an integrated energy grid to reduce transmission cost and promote regional economic development, said Mr. Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Foreign Secretary of the Government of India. The subregion should bring together buyers and sellers and harmonize regulatory frameworks to harness the potential of the power trade, he added. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Hydropower, Energy, Regional Cooperation |
 February 2021The Dhakelbar substation came online on 1 February 2021. The 400-kilovolt substation enables the state-owned Nepal Electricity Authority to exchange 1,000 to 1,200 megawatts of electricity with India via the Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur cross-border transmission line. Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli said the infrastructure will serve as the main gateway to import and export electricity to India. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Energy |
 February 2021On 7 June 2017, the Governments of Nepal and India signed a Memorandum of Intent bilaterally agreeing to launch a pilot project to facilitate transit traffic by using Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Mr. Rubal Jain from the Indian private sector discusses the benefits of ECTS since its implementation. This piece originally appeared on the Annapurna Express. Read More Tags: ADB, Electronic Cargo Tracking System, Nepal, India |
January 2021 The Government of India has agreed to sell an additional 100 megawatt of electricity to Nepal. Nepal already imports 250 MW of electricity from India through this transmission line. The new provision increases Nepal’s allowable electricity import from India to up to 800 MW of electricity. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Electricity |
 January 2021The Governments of Bangladesh and India held their Foreign Office Consultations on 29 January 2021 in New Delhi, India. The meeting held a comprehensive review of progress achieved in their bilateral relationship in areas such as cooperation on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), trade, connectivity, development partnership, power, energy, and regional cooperation. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Connectivity, Energy, Trade, COVID-19 |
 January 2021The 19th Joint Steering Committee meeting on Bangladesh-India cooperation in the power sector held on 23 January 2021 at Dhaka, Bangladesh reviewed the status of power trade between the two countries. They also discussed energy trade involving Nepal and Bhutan. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Energy, India |
 January 2021The Sixth Meeting of the India-Nepal Joint Commission highlighted the need to facilitate cross border movement of people and goods. They remarked on how the newly inaugurated integrated check post at Birgunj and Biratnagar have promoted seamless movement of people and trade between the two countries. They also welcomed the completion of the first passenger railway line between India and Nepal from Jaynagar to Kurtha. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Rail, Road |
 January 2021Mr. Tipu Munshi, Minister of Commerce of the Government of Bangladesh, called for more discussions between Bangladesh and India on the removal of non-tariff barriers to further grow their bilateral trade. There is ample opportunity to boost trade by removing non-tariff barriers. Improving customs facilities in bordering areas could also further increase bilateral trade between the two countries. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Trade Facilitation, Non-tariff barriers |
 January 2021India and Sri Lanka are looking forward to cooperating post-COVID-19, underscored Mr. Jaishankar during his visit to Sri Lanka. He noted that many opportunities are in discussion, such as special zones for pharmaceutical manufacturing and tourism. There were also proposals in infrastructure, energy, and connectivity. He also stressed that the Indian business community is strongly interested in investing in Sri Lanka. Read More Tags: India, Sri Lanka, Tourism, Energy |
 December 2020The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a project readiness financing (PRF) facility worth $4.21 million for the Tripura Urban and Tourism Development Project. The Government of India will provide complementary financing of $1.05 million. The PRF will support the state government of Tripura in preparing infrastructure development projects that will upgrade the state’s urban amenities and boost its tourism infrastructure. Read More Tags: India, ADB, Tourism, Urban Development, Tripura |
 December 2020The virtual summit held by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and India Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed their bilateral relationship amid the challenges brought on by COVID-19. They also jointly inaugurated the newly restored railway link between Haldibari (India) and Chilahati (Bangladesh), and agreed to soon operationalize the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA). Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, BBIN, Connectivity, Energy, Trade, Health |
 December 2020The governments of India and Nepal held the eighth meeting of the Joint Steering Committee (JSC) on Cooperation in the Power sector on 10 December 2020 virtually. The meeting generated positive and wide-ranging discussions that are expected to further boost the expansion of power sector cooperation between India and Nepal. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Energy |
 December 2020The governments of India and Nepal convened a virtual meeting of the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) on Trade, Transit and Cooperation to Control Unauthorized Trade. They reviewed the transit treaty that covers waterways and railway services between the two countries, and agreed to amend the bilateral transit treaty to further promote trade and connectivity. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Trade |
 October 2020A webinar organized by CUTS International on 30 October 2020 deliberated the findings of the project, ‘Gender Dimensions of Trade Facilitation in the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) Subregion.’ The work undertaken by CUTS reveals that the absence of gender responsive trade facilitation measures helps exacerbate gender inequality. Read More Tags: BBIN, Gender, Trade Facilitation, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Trade |
October 2020 The Government of India has granted market access to five agricultural products from Bhutan. A plant quarantine center was also set up in Jaigaon, India, to ease India-Bhutan cross-border trade of agricultural goods. Read More Tags: Bhutan, India, Trade |
 October 2020The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Bhutan announced an Air Travel Bubble Arrangement with the Government of India. The arrangement makes flight operations possible between the two neighboring countries until normal operations of international flights resume. Read More Tags: Bhutan, India, Aviation |
 October 2020The Governments of India and Myanmar lauded the continuous engagement in sectors of cooperation through virtual meetings amid the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. This reflects the depth of bilateral engagement between the two countries, highlighted the news release for the 19th round of India - Myanmar Foreign Office Consultations. Read More Tags: India, Myanmar, Pandemic |
 September 2020Mr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Shipping of the Government of India, and Ms. Aishath Nahula, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation of Maldives, led the online ceremony for the launch of the direct cargo ferry service between India and Maldives. The ferry service aims to provide a cost effective, direct, and alternate means of transportation of goods between India and Maldives. Read More Tags: India, Maldives |
 September 2020India's northeastern states are working to improve infrastructure and connectivity to help reduce the cost of transport and basic commodities. India's northeastern region is the country's gateway to East and Southeast Asia, and India is promoting transport and energy connectivity with Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Nepal, explains Mr. Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Foreign Secretary of the Government of India. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Transport, Energy |
 September 2020The National Industrial Corridor Development and Implementation Trust has approved the inclusion of the Odisha Economic Corridor under the National Industrial Corridor Development Program. It will become part of the East Coast Economic Corridor (ECEC), India’s first coastal economic corridor. Read More Tags: Economic corridor, East Coast Economic Corridor, India |
 September 2020The Bangladesh Executive Committee of the National Economic Council has approved a road expansion program through the SASEC Road Link Project II: Elenga-Hatikamrul-Rangpur Highway Four-Lane Upgradation. The project will be part of a road network connecting Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal that would increase trade and commerce in the subregion. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Economic Corridor Development, India, Nepal, SASEC, Transport |
September 2020 A trial run for the first export consignment from Bangladesh to Tripura, India, through inland waterways was conducted on 3–5 September 2020. The barge traveled 93 kilometers along the Meghna-Gomati river route carrying 50 tons of cement. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Waterways, Trade Facilitation, Transport |
 August 2020Hydropower generation in Bhutan, the country’s biggest export, has increased by 14%. Bhutan’s economic development is linked with the growth of its hydropower sector. Strong growth in hydropower generation can help offset the COVID-19-induced dip in GDP. Read More Tags: Bhutan, India, Hydropower, Electricity |
 August 2020The Government of Bangladesh approved a Tk 848.3 crore (around $100 million) for a road widening project that would help broaden bilateral trade with India. Under the project, the 38km Baraiyerhat-Hiako-Ramgarh road in the Khagrachhari district will be widened. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Trade, Transport |
 August 2020Mr. Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Foreign Secretary of the Government of India, paid a visit to Dhaka, Bangladesh, to take forward cooperation on matters of mutual interest. His meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina discussed India-Bangladesh connectivity and power projects, as well as India’s developmental assistance for Bangladesh. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Energy, Transport |
 August 2020The Governments of India and Nepal held the Eighth Meeting of the Nepal-India Oversight Mechanism on 17 August 2020. The virtual meeting conducted a comprehensive review of the projects being implemented under bilateral cooperation. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Energy, Transport |
 August 2020Prolonged closure of border haats will decrease income opportunities for border residents of both India and Bangladesh. But if border haats are to be reopened, operational guidelines will have to be amended to ensure personal and public safety in the time of COVID-19. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Border Haat, Trade, COVID-19 |
 August 2020India and Nepal can enjoy considerable benefits from cross-border energy trade. This commentary discusses how developing a robust power trading ecosystem can have far-reaching environmental, institutional, and social benefits in India and Nepal. Read More Tags: Nepal, India, Energy |
 July 2020The Government of India turned over 10 broad gauge railway locomotives to Bangladesh as part of a grant assistance on 27 July 2020. The two nations are committed to ramp up initiatives in connectivity and infrastructure to boost bilateral trade and promote the creation of new supply chains amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Rail, Connectivity |
July 2020 Bangladesh Railways and Indian Railways rolled out initiatives to support importers and exporters through the current COVID-19 health crisis and minimize the disruption in the supply chain. They rolled out a container train service and parcel train service, after reaching the milestone of recording the most number of freight trains interchanged within a month. Read More Tags: Rail, Bangladesh, India |
July 2020 The Government of Nepal gave the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) approval to sell electricity to Bangladesh and India. Approval of Nepal Cabinet allows NEA to fix the price on the basis of competition, according to a report on the Himalayan Times. NEA can engage in electricity trade when domestic production is high and/or when production is low. Read More Tags: Nepal, Electricity, Energy, Bangladesh, India |
 July 2020The Government of India has opened an additional Land Customs station at Ahlay, Pasakha, in response to a request from the Government of Bhutan. The temporary alternate trade route hopes to decongest vehicular traffic along the Jaigaon-Phuentsholing route, and boost bilateral trade and commerce between the two nations. Read More Tags: Bhutan, India, Trade Facilitation, Land Customs Station, Transit Facilitation |
 July 2020Extensive connectivity in the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal subregion is needed to respond to economic vulnerabilities brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. Increased connectivity through trade and transport infrastructure, such as those under the South Asian Subregional Economic Cooperation program, help the Asian Development Bank in its work to reduce poverty and promote gender equality. Read More Tags: ADB, SASEC, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Transport, Jobs |
 July 2020The second addendum to the Protocol of Inland Water Transit and Trade, which was signed on 20 May 2020 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, added 2 new water routes and 10 new ports of call to the protocol to facilitate bilateral trade. With the signing of the addendum, new opportunities are opening up for small producers and marginalized communities, according to this commentary by Mr. Bipul Chatterjee, Executive Director, CUTS International. Read More Tags: India, Bangladesh, Trade, Ports, Waterways |
July 2020 A new direct shipping service was introduced between the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Kolkata, India, and the Chattogram (Chittagong) Port in Bangladesh, through the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route. It promises to reduce time and cost of transit of goods, as well as lessen dwell time and bring more predictability in shipments. Read More Tags: Shipping, Bangladesh, India |
 June 2020Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation nations need to be prepared for imminent shifts in global manufacturing that may occur following policy changes to respond to the COVID-19 global health crisis. Read More Tags: BIMSTEC, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Trade |
 June 2020The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) proposed a Bilateral Value Chain Initiative (BVCI) as a way forward in Bangladesh-India business relations. Under a proposed memorandum of understanding between FBCCI and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), raw materials from India will be transported to Bangladesh for production. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Value Chains, Trade, Trade Facilitation |
June 2020 The Governments of Bhutan and India signed an agreement for the first joint venture hydropower project between the two countries. This agreement covers the construction of the 600-megawatt Kholongchhu hydropower project in Bhutan. Read More Tags: Hydropower, Energy, Bhutan, India |
 June 2020A new Asian Development Bank project will help improve power supply and distribution systems in Nepal through a concessional loan worth $200 million. The project aligns with the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation program on intraregional power trade through cross-border power exchange. Read More Tags: Nepal, Energy, SASEC, ADB, India |
 June 2020Cross-border trade between India and Bangladesh through the Phulbari land port (India) and the Banglabandha land port (Bangladesh) resumed on 13 June 2020. On the day the land port reopened, 63 trucks carrying boulders went into Bangladesh. Boulders are mainly exported to Bangladesh from India and Bhutan through Phulbari. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Trade Facilitation |
 June 2020Mr. Saurabh Kumar, Ambassador, Embassy of India in Myanmar, spoke at an interactive webinar on India-Myanmar Business Promotion, Challenges and Opportunities Post COVID-19 along with his counterpart Mr. Moe Kyaw Aung, Ambassador, Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar in India. Mr. Kumar suggested expanding bilateral trade relations to include areas such as pharmacy and healthcare to help the revival of both countries post-COVID-19. Read More Tags: Trade, Transport, India, Myanmar |
 June 2020An analysis on the Hindustan Times makes a case for building resilient supply chains in South Asia. The article proposes that, with the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), “there will be a decline in globalization and relative strengthening of regional supply chains. Geography will assume an important role in supply chains.” It further mentions that the region’s economies and South Asia’s SMEs stand to benefit from a stronger regional supply chain. Read More Tags: Logistics, Regional Cooperation, South Asia, Supply Chains, India |
 June 2020India’s Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) began rolling out the faceless assessment process on 8 June, starting with Chennai and Bengaluru. The implementation is being done in a phased manner, with the aim of making it the norm in the country by 31 December. Faceless assessment enables the assessing officer to examine a bill of entry from any customs station, as assigned by the customs automated system. Read More Tags: India, Customs, Trade Facilitation |
 June 2020Border trade between India and Myanmar slowed down by over 40% for the current fiscal year, due to the temporary closure of border posts because of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. The value of trade went down from $128 million to $76 million noted Thura Swiss, the agency that conducted the research. Read More Tags: India, Myanmar, Covid19, Trade Facilitation, Trade |
June 2020 Bilateral trade resumed through the Petrapole Integrated Check Post at the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal on 7 June 2020. As safety protocol, drivers from India are only allowed up to 500 meters inside the Bangladesh port area. They are given personal protective equipment (PPEs), hand gloves, and masks. They need to remain in their vehicles during unloading. Empty trucks need to be sanitized. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Trade Facilitation |
 May 2020Bangladesh and India signed the second addendum to the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade to add two new water routes and 10 ports of call between the two countries. The new routes and ports will improve connectivity, facilitate trade, and spur economic development. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Ports, Trade Facilitation, Waterways |
 April 2020 |
 March 2020Member countries of the South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) held a Virtual SAARC Emergency meeting on COVID-19 on 15 March to discuss and coordinate a regional response. Mr. Sujit Bharti, a Diplomat at the Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India, writes how South Asia is cooperating against the pandemic. Read More Tags: Pandemic, Covid19, Regional Cooperation, SAARC, India |
 March 2020The Governments of Bangladesh and India will undertake a joint study on an advanced free trade agreement under the banner of a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA). The terms of reference (TOR) for the study have been finalized. Outcomes will be critical to deciding whether the free trade agreement will be inked. Read More Tags: Trade, Bangladesh, India |
March 2020 Mr. Barsha Man Pun, Nepal Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, urged Mr. Sanjiv Nandan Sahai, India Power Secretary, to accelerate power trade between India and Nepal. The Central Electricity Authority of India (CEA) and the Nepal Electricity Authority has an existing power trade agreement. A go ahead from the Power Ministry of India will allow the CEA to carry out measures necessary to accelerate power trade with Nepal. Read More Tags: Nepal, India, Energy |
 March 2020The Bangladesh cabinet approved the draft of the second revision of the Protocol on Inland Water, Transit and Trade. This draft amends the existing agreement between Bangladesh and India on raising the number of ports of call between the two countries to deepen trade via waterways. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Ports, Waterways, Trade |
 March 2020India's Ministry of Railways has commissioned a survey to establish a cross-border railway link between India and Bhutan. The planned route is on Mujnai (India)–Nyoenpaling (Bhutan). Read More Tags: India, Bhutan, Rail, Transport, , Connectivity |
 March 2020 |
 February 2020Mr. Win Myint, President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar paid a State Visit to India, upon the invitation of Mr. Ram Nath Kovind, President of the Republic of India. The visit emphasized importance of connectivity. It also affirmed their commitments to expedite the completion of various India-funded projects ongoing in Myanmar, and underscored the need to further facilitate the easy movement of passenger and cargo traffic between the two countries. Read More Tags: India, Myanmar, Connectivity |
 February 2020India and Myanmar are launching the Imphal (Manipur, India)–Mandalay (Myanmar) bus service to further promote tourism and people-to-people visits. On 7 April 2020, the new passenger bus route will be inaugurated in Mandalay in a ceremony flagging off a bus bound for Imphal. On 8 April, a bus bound for Mandalay will be flagged off from Imphal. The Shwe Mandalar Express Company Limited from Yangon and Seven Sisters Holidays from Imphal partnered to operate the bus route. Read More Tags: India, Myanmar, Connectivity, Transport |
 February 2020Inland waterways is an important pillar of ‘Arth-Ganga,’ a project that aims to channelize economic activity along the banks of Ganga River to promote inclusive growth for India and generate enormous employment opportunities. The project is being implemented by the Ministry of Shipping of the Government of India. Read More Tags: Inland waterways, India, Nepal, Trade Facilitation, Logistics |
 February 2020Representatives from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal (BBIN) met in New Delhi, India, on 8 February 2020 to discuss and push for the finalization of the BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement. Read More Tags: BBIN, Motor Vehicles Agreement, Transport, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, |
 December 2019 |
 December 2019The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has committed to a loan of $195 million to improve the highway section between Pokhara and Mugling in Nepal. The highway section links Pokhara to Kathmandu and to subregional corridors connecting Nepal with India and Bangladesh. Read More Tags: ADB, SASEC, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Trade, Transport |
 November 2019The Bangladesh Bhutan India Nepal (BBIN) Chamber of Commerce was launched in New Delhi, India, to foster connections and develop trade and commerce among the partner countries. Read More Tags: BBIN, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Trade |
 September 2019The Government of India plans to implement a National Logistics policy to help bring down the logistics cost by 10%, according to Mr. Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry and Railways of the Government of India. The proposed policy was sent to the Cabinet for approval. Read More Tags: India, Trade Facilitation |
 September 2019The Kolkata Customs of the Government of India has granted an 84.33% subsidy for Nepali cargo duty insurance. Nepali importers were also provided the flexibility to buy insurance from private companies beginning 12 September. Read More Tags: Nepal, India, Trade Facilitation, Transit Facilitation |
 September 2019Economic corridor development is an effective policy that could promote sustainable growth in Bangladesh. It is a tool that enables the proliferation of industry, creates jobs, upgrades infrastructure, and links production centers with global value chains. It also helps create markets in lagging regions. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Economic Corridor Development, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Regional Integration, Trade, Transport |
 September 2019Bangladesh is in talks with Bhutan, India, Myanmar, and Nepal to import electricity to meet Bangladesh’s growing energy demand. This was according to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was speaking via videoconferencing at the inauguration of four power plants and eight substations in the country. Read More Tags: ADB, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Energy, India, Myanmar, Nepal |
 September 2019Ten economic ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Minister of Commerce and Industry of the Government of India held their 16th consultation. The meeting acknowledged the ratification of the ASEAN-India Trade in Services Agreement and endorsed the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement. Read More Tags: India, ASEAN |
 September 2019The 69 kilometer Motihari (India)-Amlekhgunj (Nepal) pipeline, signed by India and Nepal in 2015, was jointly inaugurated by India Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on 10 September 2019. The project is South Asia's first cross-border pipeline for petroleum products. Read More Tags: Nepal, India, Energy |
 August 2019A bus service between Kathmandu, Nepal and Siliguri, West Bengal, India was inaugurated on 26 August 2019. Mr. Raghubir Mahaseth, Minister for Transport Management of the Government of Nepal, and Mr. Manjeev Singh Puri, Indian Ambassador to Nepal, jointly flagged off the bus service. Mr. Mahaseth emphasized that the bus service will further strengthen the links between the two nations and help to expand trade links. Read More Tags: Nepal, India, Transport, Trade |
 August 2019The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India and the National Food and Feed Reference Laboratory of Nepal will reciprocally acknowledge test analysis or quality certificates issued by each other for food imports. The list of food products include ginger, cardamom, tea, and coffee—Nepal’s top exported items to India. The Nepal Chamber of Commerce noted in a statement that this bilateral agreement is expected to reduce hurdles in border checking. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Trade |
 August 2019The Fifth Meeting of the India-Nepal Joint Commission reviewed bilateral relations, and areas of cooperation. The delegations expressed satisfaction over progress of ongoing projects. They agreed to expedite the early completion of remaining agreed projects, and pledged to conclude the review of treaties and agreements related to the trade, transit, and rail services early. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Trade Facilitation, Rail |
 August 2019Mr. S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of the Government of India, visited Bangladesh 19–21 August 2019. He called on Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and discussed matters concerning her upcoming visit to India in October. He also met with Mr. AK Abdul Momen, Foreign Minister of the Government of Bangladesh. The two officials discussed ways to strengthen bilateral ties. Read More Tags: India, Bangladesh |
 August 2019Bhutan Prime Minister Lotay Tshering and India Prime Minister Narendra Modi have signed a power purchase agreement between PTC India Limited and Bhutan’s Druk Green Power Corporation Limited for the sale and purchase of electricity from the 720 megawatt Mangdechhu hydropower project. The two prime minister jointly inaugurated the hydropower plant during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Bhutan. Read More Tags: Hydropower, Bhutan, India, Energy |
 August 2019Thailand and India have signed a memorandum of understanding that will promote a new maritime route between Thailand’s Ranong Port and India’s Krishnapatnam Port. The deal is part of Thailand’s policy to strengthen trade with Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka under the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) framework. Read More Tags: BIMSTEC, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Trade |
 August 2019Infrastructure bottlenecks will need to be removed to effectively implement the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal Motor Vehicles Agreement. According to Mr. Bipul Chatterjee, Executive Director, CUTS International, addressing the many short-term challenges would bring long-term benefits and result in a win-win situation for all member countries. Read More Tags: BBIN, Motor Vehicles Agreement, Transport, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal |
 August 2019The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Development Fund (SDF) and Drukair Corporation signed a $13 million loan agreement to help DrukAir purchase a new ATR Aircraft. This is SDF’s first loan under its economic and infrastructure window. Mr. Sunil Motiwal, Chief Executive Officer of SDF, noted that this assistance will help Bhutan expand its aviation connectivity to Bangladesh, India, and Nepal. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Transport, SAARC |
 August 2019The Government of Bangladesh is considering the construction of a new pipeline to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) from India. According to Mr. Nasrul Hamid, State Minister for Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources of the Government of Bangladesh, the country’s Gas Transmission Company Limited plans to install the pipeline near the Satkhira border. This will help supply fuel-based power plants and industries in the southeastern region of Bangladesh. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Trade Facilitation, Transport, Rail |
 August 2019South Asia has been the fastest growing subregion in the world. Since 2014, its eight economies have been collectively growing by 7.0% annually. But in order to continue performing well in the coming years, the region will need reforms and investments. By promoting regional cooperation and integration, for example, South Asia can accelerate economic growth and boost employment. Read More Tags: ADB, Bangladesh, Trade, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka |
 July 2019An Indian cargo ship carrying a shipment of stone aggregate from Bhutan has arrived in Bangladesh. It passed through the Brahmaputra River in India. It was the first shipment to take the route, saving an estimated 30% transportation cost and travelling at half the time it would take for the shipment to travel by land. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Inland waterways, Transport |
 July 2019Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of Finance, India, announced during her budget speech on 5 July 2019 that the opening of a protocol route between India and Bangladesh would be the start of a water grid program. The water grid would connect India’s northeaster region to Kolkata and Haldia ports in India and Mongla port in Bangladesh, allowing for seamless movement of import and export cargo and reduced logistics cost. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Inland waterways, Transport |
 July 2019Mr. Vijay Gokhale, Foreign Secretary of the Government of India, visited Bhutan on 4–5 July 2019 to meet its top leaders and deepen bilateral ties between the two countries. He called on His Majesty the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Prime Minister Lotay Tshering, and Mr. Tandi Dorji, Foreign Minister of the Government of Bhutan. Read More Tags: India, Bhutan |
 June 2019 |
 May 2019The Asian Development Bank approved the proposed financing for the Maldives: SASEC National Single Window Project worth $11 million. This project will introduce a single electronic platform in Maldives to improve the speed and efficiency of cross-border control procedures by employing the latest technology. This project will improve the trade environment of Maldives, and help expand its trade with partners in the region, including India and Sri Lanka. Read More Tags: ADB, SASEC, Maldives, National Single Window, India, Sri Lanka, Trade Facilitation |
 May 2019India could play a crucial role in interconnecting regional energy networks. In this commentary, Mr. Mahendra P. Lama outlines what India needs to approach energy security projects in India and its neighboring countries. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Renewable Energy, Regional Cooperation, Nepal, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Trade, Transport |
 March 2019India said it would support Nepal’s energy sector as Nepal seeks to export energy to third countries, such as Bangladesh and Myanmar. The move will provide power producers in Nepal access to international markets for energy export. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Energy, India, Myanmar, Nepal |
 March 2019Senior officials met to review India-Nepal bilateral transit and trade treaties and agreed to discuss inland waterways facilities, which could reduce transit cost significantly once implemented. The two countries also agreed to install facilities for electronic cargo tracking on cargo bound for Nepal. Read More Tags: Inland waterways, India, Nepal, Transport, Electronic Cargo Tracking System |
 March 2019The Nepal Rastra Bank, the central bank of Nepal, has allowed commercial banks to issue payment instruments in foreign currency for cargo transported by railway to the Birgunj dry port and Biratnagar customs point. The move aims to facilitate the implementation of the electronic cargo tracking system for third country import. Read More Tags: Electronic Cargo Tracking System, India, Nepal, Rail, Transit Facilitation |
 January 2019Border haats or rural markets along the border of Bangladesh and India help to strengthen ties between the two countries, both culturally and economically. These border haats benefit local communities by providing opportunities for livelihood and social interaction. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Bilateral Trade, India, Trade Facilitation |
 January 2019India is working to develop its inland waterways to increase economic connectivity with Southeast Asia. The project will connect India’s northeastern states with Bangladesh and Nepal and boost trade in the region as part of India’s Act East Policy. Read More Tags: Inland waterways, India, Southeast Asia, Transport |
 January 2019Mr. Mansukh L. Mandaviya, Minister of State for Shipping, Road Transport and Chemical and Fertilizer, Government of India, informed the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) that the Sittwe Port in Myanmar is ready to operate. India will take over the operations of Sittwe Port, as agreed in the bilateral memorandum of understanding signed by the Governments of India and Myanmar. The Sittwe Port is part of the Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project, and was constructed with assistance from the G Read More Tags: India, Myanmar, Bilateral Agreement |
 December 2018The broad-gauge railway line on the new Indo-Nepal railway route running from Janakpur (India) to Kurtha (Nepal) has been laid down, according to Mr. Aman Chitrakar, Senior Engineer, Department of Railways, Government of Nepal. The Government of India supported construction of the 35 kilometer-long railway route. Building of railway stations, terminal buildings, bridges and culverts along the route is approaching completion. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Rail, Transport |
 November 2018India Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India's first inland waterways terminal on the Ganga River in Varanasi, and received the first inland container vessel which journeyed from Kolkata. The Prime Minister heralded the arrival of the container as 'historic' for India. The inland waterways terminal is part of a planned multimodal terminal on the Ganga in Varanasi. The waterway route links eastern Uttar Pradesh to the Bay of Bengal. It promises to save time and money, lessen road traff Read More Tags: Inland waterways, India, Transport, World Bank |
 October 2018Bangladesh and India signed three bilateral memoranda of understanding to strengthen transport between the two countries using inland waterways. The pacts include an agreement for the use of Mongla and Chattogram (formerly Chittagong) ports in Bangladesh for transporting goods to and from India and the operation of cruise vessels on the protocol routes. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Shipping, Transport, Inland waterways |
 October 2018PTC India Limited and the Bangladesh Power Development Board signed two new power purchase agreements on 9 October 2018 to add 200 megawatts of power import from India to Bangladesh. The contracts, worth $1.8 billion, will be supplied to Bangladesh on a short- and long-term basis. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Energy, Trade |
 October 2018A seminar on inland waterways emphasized on the potential impact of connectivity between India and Nepal. As a cost-effective, safe, and environment-friendly transport option, it could shape the future of trade, tourism, and navigation between India and Nepal, according to Mr. Barsha Man Pun, Minister of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, Government of Nepal. Access to India's Haldia port may also open the market to Nepal’s less marketed commodities, noted Mr. Pun. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Shipping, Transport, Inland waterways |
 September 2018Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government
of India, and Mr. Matrika Prasad Yadav, Minister for Industry, Commerce
and Supply, Government of Nepal, held a bilateral meeting to discuss
strengthening of energy and economic ties between the two countries. Both
ministers agreed to explore potential pipelines for LPG and LNG to supply fertilizer plants and industries in Nepal. Read More Tags: Nepal, India, Energy, LNG, LPG |
 September 2018The Government of India has tasked the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to undertake a study on coastal shipping. The Government aims to analyze constraints to coastal shipping to facilitate seamless connectivity between consumers and producers using the coastal shipping route. ADB is expected to submit a report on coastal shipping issues and suggested recommendations to the Ministry of Shipping in December. Read More Tags: ADB, Shipping, India |
 September 2018Mr. Suresh Prabhu, Minister of Commerce and Industry and Civil Aviation, Government of India, and Mr. Tofail Ahmed, Minister of Commerce, Government of Bangladesh, held a bilateral meeting on 26 September 2018 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, to discuss matters of trade, investment, and connectivity. The two ministers agreed to undertake a joint study for a potential Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, and fast-track six new border haats. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Connectivity, Trade, Border Haat, Ports, Rail |
 September 2018The 15th Meeting of the Bangladesh-India Joint Steering Committee on Power Sector reviewed the existing cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector. Bangladesh plans to import an additional 340 megawatt electricity through the Surjomoni-Cumilla North Link, under government-to-government modality. The meeting also reviewed the proposal to set up a power transmission line that will enable Bangladesh to import electricity from Bhutan and Nepal through India. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Energy, Transmission |
 September 2018Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and India Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a video conference, jointly inaugurated the 130-kilometer India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline Project, and the third and fourth dual-gauge rail lines in the Dhaka-Tongi section and dual-gauge rail line in the Tongi-Joydebpur section of Bangladesh Railway. The pipeline will support pumping of oil from India to Bangladesh, helping fulfill the country’s energy needs at less costly rates. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Rail |
 September 2018The Bangladesh Cabinet approved the proposal to allow India access to its Chittagong and Mongla ports to transport cargo to its northeastern region. This will reduce transit time and help traders save costs. International rules and the General Agreement on Tariff and Trade will be applied, as well as applicable laws and rules on freight in Bangladesh. Goods bound for India's northeastern region will be carried onboard Bangladeshi vehicles that will be equipped with tracking systems. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Ports, Shipping |
September 2018 A team of technical experts from Nepal undertook an official visit to India to (i) study India’s inland waterway infrastructures in consideration of Nepal's needs, and (ii) hold discussions with their counterparts in India. This field visit follows the meeting between Indian and Nepalese government officials held in July 2018 in Kathmandu, Nepal. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Trade, Transport, Shipping, Inland waterways |
 September 2018The Government of Thailand aims to increase bilateral trade with India by developing Ranong port. According to Mr. Tharadol Thongruang, Minister Counsellor (Commercial), Office of Commercial Affairs, Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi, India, using Ranong port for trade with India’s Kolkata and Chennai ports will reduce distance between the two countries and boost trade. Read More Tags: India, Thailand, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Ports, Shipping, Trade, Connectivity |
 September 2018The bus service connecting Bihar, India, to Nepal, was flagged off by Mr. Nitish Kumar, Chief Minister, Bihar, India. Two routes have started running beginning 13 September: (i) Bodh Gaya in Bihar to Kathmandu, Nepal, and (ii) Patna, Bihar to Kathmandu, via Janakpur, Nepal. The service aims to promote tourism between the two countries, and further strengthen India-Nepal relations. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Connectivity |
 August 2018The Governments of India and Nepal exchanged the memorandum of understanding on preliminary engineering-cum-traffic survey on the broad gauge line between Raxaul, India, and Kathmandu, Nepal on the sidelines of the fourth BIMSTEC Summit. The meeting between India Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli also reviewed India-Nepal relations, discussing ways to further deepen bilateral economic, trade, and cultural ties, and connectivity. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Connectivity |
 August 2018The Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Board (NITDB) is upgrading the inland container depot in Birgunj, Nepal, to give it the capacity to handle dusty cargo, such as cement clinker and fly ash. NITDB is also planning to develop railway tracks to be linked directly to the new warehouses. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Trade Facilitation, Rail, Logistics |
 August 2018India began implementation of the United Nations TIR Convention to transform the country’s trade and transport by activating regional connectivity and advancing global trade prospects. The TIR Convention provides global access to markets, connecting India to the wider TIR network that includes Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia and Central Asia. Read More Tags: BBIN, Customs, IMT-MVA, India, Motor Vehicles Agreement, Trade Facilitation Agreement, Transport, WTO |
August 2018 Trade between Bangladesh and India is estimated to cross a landmark $9 billion. Between July 2017-June 2018, growth of Bangladesh's garment exports to India jumped by 113%, amounting to $276 million. Exports of other products also increased by 30%, bringing in an additional $201 million. In total, Bangladesh's exports to India is set to close at almost $900 million. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Trade |
 August 2018India’s GMR Upper Karnali Hydropower Ltd. is set to sign a power purchase agreement with the Bangladesh government to export electricity to be generated by the Upper Karnali Hydropower Project in Nepal. The agreement will serve as a guiding framework for Nepal for exporting surplus electricity to Bangladesh. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Energy, Electricity |
 August 2018The Governments of India and Myanmar implemented the Land Border Crossing Agreement, marking the occasion with the simultaneous opening of the Tamu (Myanmar)-Moreh (India) and Rihkhawdar (Myanmar)-Zowkhawtar (India) international border checkpoints. Signed on 11 May 2018, the opening of the India-Myanmar land border crossings allows people from both countries and third countries holding valid passports and visas to cross the border and travel to any point of Myanmar or India. Read More Tags: India, Myanmar, Act East Policy |
 August 2018The Indian Railways successfully conducted a trial run from Jainagar (India) to Khajuri (Nepal) railway stations, using a cargo train carrying 5,000 tons of ballast. The 8.5 kilometer stretch is part of the Jainagar (India)-Janakpur (Nepal) broad gauge railway link being constructed to improve connectivity between India and Nepal. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Rail, Connectivity |
 August 2018The author highlights how fast-paced infrastructure development could help unlock competencies of India’s northeast region. With the Government of India's focus on promoting the northeastern region as a key trade gateway, projects such as the 1,400 kilometer India-Myanmar-Thailand highway and the SASEC Road Connectivity project, promises to boost the country's trade and commerce, and enhance India’s logistics capabilities. Read More Tags: India, Myanmar, Thailand, SASEC, Road, Logistics |
 August 2018Mr. Chandra Mohan Patowary, Industries and Commerce Minister of Assam, India, emphasized the State Government's commitment to reopening air cargo trade routes to increase the state's economic prosperity. The Assam government plans to link its largest city, Guwahati, to the seven capital cities of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) under the Regional Connectivity Scheme. He also shared that the Assam Industrial Development Cargo is working on an air cargo terminal project Read More Tags: India, ASEAN, Trade, Connectivity, Myanmar, Thailand |
 July 2018The Governments of Bangladesh and India are considering development of "border haats" (border markets) in six new locations to further boost Bangladesh-India trade. A joint committee meeting highlighted the positive impact of border haats to the livelihoods of people in border communities. The meeting emphasized the need to draft an MoU and provide a timeline for setting up new border haats in the northeastern region of India. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Trade |
 July 2018The 6th Meeting of India-Nepal Oversight Mechanism reviewed progress of ongoing bilateral projects between India and Nepal. This included cross-border rail projects, integrated check posts, Terai roads project, cross-border transmission lines, and the Arun-III hydropower project. The Meeting discussed measures to be undertaken by specific Government agencies to achieve early or on-time completion of projects within the specified time frame. Read More Tags: India, Nepal |
 July 2018The Eminent Persons' Group on Nepal-India relations has finalized its report, with recommendations on updating bilateral treaties and agreements between India and Nepal, in line with the present reality of the two countries. The recommendations concern trade, commerce, water resource, people-to-people contact and cultural ties. The joint report, prepared in consensus by representatives of the two nations, lays a strong groundwork for furthering India-Nepal relations. Read More Tags: Nepal, India, Trade |
 July 2018The Governments of India and Nepal convened the 6th Meeting of the Project Steering Committee for the Implementation of India-Nepal Cross Border Rail Link Projects. The Meeting highlighted the early finalization of the Memorandum of Understanding for the preliminary engineering/traffic survey of the Raxaul (India)-Kathmandu (Nepal) rail line. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Transport, Rail |
 June 2018Ms. Chitranganee Wagiswara, high commissioner of Sri Lanka in New Delhi, India, urged Indian companies to take advantage of the ample business opportunities in Sri Lanka. She said Sri Lanka’s Vision 2025 positions the country as an export-oriented economic hub at the center of the Indian Ocean. Read More Tags: Sri Lanka, India, Trade, Tourism, Jobs |
 June 2018The Asian Development Bank (ADB) submitted the Jogighopa Multi-Modal Logistics Park (MMLP) pre-feasibility study report to the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways, Government of India, on 19 June 2018. The Government of India (GoI) requested for ADB's support to conduct MMLP pre-feasibility studies at select locations, including Jogighopa in Assam, India. Read More Tags: ADB, India, Transport |
 June 2018The Customs Commissionerate of Ludhiana held an Authorized Economic Operators’ (AEO) camp at the Customs House Sanhewal. Mr. AS Ranga, Customs Commissioner, reiterated the Government of India's commitment to implementation of the World Trade Organization's Trade Facilitation Agreement. He discussed important features of the AEO scheme and details to remember in filing AEO applications. Representatives from different industries, and importers and exporters attended the event. Read More Tags: Customs, India, WTO, Trade Facilitation Agreement, Authorized Economic Operators |
 June 2018Establishing an additional air route via Nepal will help reduce congestion and enhance air traffic safety in the region. In this commentary, Mr. Tri Ratna Manandhar, former Director General of Civil Aviation Authority, Nepal, discusses how India and Nepal could work together to implement the Himalaya Route. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Transport |
 May 2018Bangladesh’s Executive Committee of the National Economic Council has approved a project to install a high-voltage direct-current back-to-back substation at Comilla in Bangladesh for importing 500 megawatts of electricity from Tripura, India. Read More Tags: ADB, Bangladesh, Energy, India, SASEC, Trade, Rail, Transport |
 May 2018Plans are being drafted to turn Silchar, a city in Assam, India, into a logistics hub. Multimodal transport linkages from Silchar to Myanmar and to Bangladesh are being considered, in line with the Government of India's "Act East" policy. These will decongest Guwahati and place Silchar at the forefront of growing economic relations between India's northeastern states and Bangladesh and the countries in Southeast Asia. Read More Tags: India, Act East Policy, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Thailand, Economic Corridor Development |
 May 2018A delegation of Eminent Persons' Group (EPG) members from Nepal visited the Visakhapatnam (Vizag) port on 24 May 2018. The team met with Mr. Movva Tirumala Krishna Babu, Chairman, Vizag Port Trust. The Meeting recommended measures to boost efficiency of cargo shipment from Vizag port to Nepal. Read More Tags: Nepal, India, Ports, Trade, Transit, Hydropower, Cooperation |
 May 2018The 9th Annual Ministerial Meeting of Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) on Trade and Transport was held to discussed key issues in transport, transit cooperation, trade, and trade facilitation among LLDCs. Bhutan and Nepal sent delegations to the Meeting. They highlighted initiatives being taken to connect their countries to the global market, including bilateral agreements in the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal subregion and the SASEC Trade Facilitation Program. Read More Tags: Trade, Trade Facilitation, Sustainable Development Goals, Cooperation, Connectivity, Bilateral Agreement, Bilateral Trade, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, SASEC, India, Transport, Ports, Customs, Roads, Single Window |
 May 2018The Governments of India and Myanmar inked the Agreement on Land Border Crossing during the visit of Ms. Sushma Swaraj, External Affairs Minister of the Government of India, to Myanmar on 10-11 May 2018. This landmark agreement allows people from both countries to cross the land border with passport and visa, for purposes such as availing health and education services, pilgrimage, and tourism. Read More Tags: India, Myanmar, Tourism |
 May 2018The BIMSTEC Working Group on Customs Cooperation held its first meeting on 10-11 May 2018 in New Dehi, India. The Meeting discussed progress in customs cooperation among BIMSTEC countries, and finalized the draft text of the 'Agreement on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters' for the BIMSTEC Free Trade Area. Read More Tags: BIMSTEC, Customs, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Trade |
May 2018 The Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India is reviewing feasibility studies for potential railway linkages between India and Bhutan. The studies conducted by the Northeast Frontier Railway include five possible routes. Read More Tags: India, Bhutan, Transport, Rail, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal |
 May 2018The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry is fast-tracking implementation of the United Nations TIR Convention, following the Indian government’s initiatives to promote trade expansion, particularly along the international North-South Transport Corridor. Read More Tags: India, Trade, Transport |
 May 2018The Government of India signed an agreement to build two liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the Government of Japan. These were approved by the Government of Sri Lanka, along with an LNG project by the People's Republic of China. In total, the three LNG power plants will generate up to 1,400 megawatts. Read More Tags: India, Sri Lanka, Renewable Energy, Energy, LNG |
 May 2018The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council of the Government of Bangladesh approved the double laning of the railway track from Khulna to Darshana. Darshana, a rail transit point, lies on the Bangladesh-India border. Spanning around 217 kilometers, the double rail line will establish rail connectivity with India, with links toward Bhutan and Nepal. It will also provide access to Mongla Port. Read More Tags: India, Bhutan, Nepal, Rail, Transport |
 April 2018The Governments of India and Nepal held an India-Nepal Inter-Governmental Committee Meeting on Trade, Transit, and Cooperation to Control Unauthorised Trade, led by Commerce Secretaries of the two Governments. They discussed bilateral trade, transit, and economic relations, and agreed to conclude measures to further improve bilateral trade and investment ties. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Trade Facilitation, Transport, Transit, Inland waterways, Standards Harmonization |
 April 2018Bangladesh, India, and Nepal conducted a trial bus service run on 24-25 April 2018. Two buses left Dhaka, Bangladesh, for Kathmandu, Nepal, carrying delegates from the three countries and the ADB. The Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal Motor Vehicles Agreement enables the bus service. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, BBIN, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Transport |
 April 2018The Government of India launched the test phase for railway movement of goods entering Nepal via the Biratnagar check post. The Container Corporation of India began carrying freight bound for Jogbani in Bihar, the nearest rail station to Biratnagar, on 25 April 2018. This development follows implementation of the electronic cargo tracking system. Read More Tags: Rail, India, Nepal, Electronic Cargo Tracking System, SASEC |
 April 2018This commentary by Ms. Dikshya Singh, Research Officer at South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment, puts forward that the decision to connect India and Nepal via inland waterways is a "landmark decision" that is worth pursuing. While modalities have yet to be set by the two Governments, the option to connect Nepal to India's waterways promises to further boost Nepal's trade facilitation and make India's inland waterways infrastructure project more financially viable. Read More Tags: Nepal, India, Transport, Connectivity |
 April 2018Around 375 oil tankers bringing in fuel to Nepal from Indian Oil Corporation depots in Gonda in Uttar Pradesh, and Banthara, to the Nepalgunj and Bhairawa border points will be required to install a security locking system to eliminate pilferage in transit, shared Nepal Oil Corporation spokesperson Mr. Birendra Kumar Goit. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Trade Facilitation |
 April 2018The Government of Bangladesh's Cabinet Committee on Purchase approved a proposal to import 500 megawatts of electricity from India from June 2018 to May 2033 to help meet the country's energy demand. The Committee also cleared a proposal appointing Texmaco Rail and Engineering from India to build the dual gauge rail line from Akhaura to Agartala. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Energy, Rail, Transport, Transmission |
 April 2018The National Highways Authority of India signed on 11 April 2018 an agreement to widen the Yagyi-Kalewa section of the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway. Construction is also underway for the Imphal-Kangchup-Tamenglong road under the SASEC Road Connectivity Investment Program. These projects will improve the flow of vehicular traffic and enhance trade, health services, and tourism in India, Myanmar, and Thailand. Read More Tags: India, Myanmar, Thailand, SASEC, Transport, Road |
 April 2018India and Nepal are set to be linked by rail with the agreement by the Governments of both countries to connect Raxaul, a border city in India, to Kathmandu, Nepal's capital city, by rail. Preparatory survey work will be conducted by the Government of India, in consultation with the Government of Nepal, for a new electrified rail line within one year. Read More Tags: Nepal, India, Rail, Connectivity, Act East Policy, Transport |
 April 2018India and Nepal are set to develop the inland waterway linkage between their countries to promote efficient and more cost effective movement of goods. India Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli issued a joint statement on forging this new route—which will also open additional sea access to landlocked Nepal—between the two countries on 7 April 2018, during Prime Minister Oli's state visit to India. Read More Tags: Connectivity, India, Inland waterways, Nepal, LLDC |
 April 2018Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli emphasized the high importance Nepal places upon its relationship with India, and Nepal's desire to further strengthen this bilateral partnership, in a meeting with India Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Prime Minister Oli visited India on 6-8 April 2018, upon the invitation of India’s Prime Minister. The two Prime Ministers jointly inaugurated the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Birgunj, Nepal, and issued three joint statements of cooperation. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Trade Facilitation, Connectivity, Trade |
 April 2018India led a test run of the first container freight train from Kolkata, India, to Dhaka, Bangladesh on 3-4 April 2018. The rail service will be the first container train service between the two countries. It will reduce cost and transport time, thereby improving trade between India and Bangladesh. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Rail, Trade Facilitation, Trade |
 March 2018Selected commercial and personal vehicles, including a passenger bus service, will join a trial run from Dhaka, Bangladesh to Kathmandu, Nepal on 23-26 April 2018. The route will pass through the Banglabandha (Bangladesh)-Phulbari (India) border and through Panitanki (India)-Kakarbhitta (Nepal) border. Senior officials of the governments of Bangladesh, India, and Nepal have agreed to operate more cargo and passenger buses along key routes in the region to enhance connectivity. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Transport |
 March 2018Providing a boon to relations between India and Myanmar, Indian Railways delivered 18 AC/DC 1350 horsepower diesel electric locomotives to Myanmar Railways six months ahead of schedule. Funded with an Indian line of credit, the fuel-efficient locomotives are fitted with micro-processor control-based systems, equipped with the latest technology, and runs at a maximum speed of 100 kilometers per hour. Read More Tags: Myanmar, India, Transport |
 March 2018The Government of Nepal is aiming to finalize the transshipment modality with the Government of India for its third country trade. It will be part of the agenda in the upcoming Intergovernmental Committee (IGC) meeting in April in Pokhara, Nepal, headed by India and Nepal commerce secretaries. Read More Tags: Nepal, India, ADB, Transport, Electronic Cargo Tracking System |
 March 2018The Ministry of Shipping of the Government of India will propose to add the Pangaon river terminal into the India-Bangladesh protocol for inland water trade at the upcoming secretary-level talks between the two countries. Located 20 kilometers away from Dhaka, Bangladesh, the Pangaon container terminal can provide a cost-effective means to transport goods between Kolkata and Dhaka. Read More Tags: India, Bangladesh, Shipping |
 March 2018 |
 March 2018The Government of India has appointed a contractor to build the integrated check post (ICP) in Nepalgunj, Nepal, on the India-Nepal border. Timeline set for building and completion is two years. The ICP on the Nepalgunj-Rupaidiha (India) border would facilitate improved cross-border connectivity. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Trade Facilitation |
 February 2018This video showcases how innovations for trade facilitation have enabled businesses in the BBIN subregion to tap into regional value chains and flourish globally. More developments in facilitating trade and enhancing connectivity are planned and underway to help boost trade, enhance regional integration, and promote economic opportunities. Read More Tags: BBIN, Transport, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal |
February 2018 The Government of Bangladesh plans to convert around 67 kilometers of meter-gauge rail line into dual gauge to establish railway connectivity with Bhutan, India, and Nepal. This move could help boost trade among the three countries. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Rail, Transport |
 February 2018Eminent Persons Group including representatives from both India and Nepal exchanged the first draft reports on future India-Nepal relations during their seventh meeting in Kathmandu on 24 February 2018. It is likely that they will produce one joint final report during the next meeting in New Delhi that will be submitted to both governments before the group’s term expires in July. Read More Tags: Connectivity, India, Nepal, Cooperation, Energy, Hydropower |
 February 2018The 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Bhutan and India is an occasion to reflect on further advancing ties between the two countries, said Ms. Sushma Swaraj, Minister of External Affairs, India. India is Bhutan’s largest trading partner and the two countries cooperate in the fields of transport and hydroelectric power. Read More Tags: Bhutan, India, Cooperation, Hydropower, Trade, Energy |
 February 2018Bangladesh's interest to harness Nepal's hydropower potential could be a win-win for both countries, with India playing the role of catalyst, shared Mr. Mostofa Sohrab Chowdhury, President, Rangpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Bangladesh's projected additional energy demand is 21,000 megawatts (MW) by 2030, while Nepal's untapped economically feasible hydropower potential is 42,000 MW. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Cooperation, Energy, Hydropower, Transmission |
 February 2018A meeting between the Government of Nepal's Ministry of Commerce (MoC), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Visakhapatnam (Vizag) port authorities, and the Government of India discussed the possibility of implementing paperless trade procedures at Vizag port for Nepal’s third country trade. In follow up to this, the Government of Nepal also held a meeting with its stakeholders on 18 February 2018. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Paperless trade, Trade Facilitation, Ports |
 February 2018India will supply an additional 300 megawatts (MW) to Bangladesh through the state-run NTPC Ltd. This additional energy export will begin once the 500 MW high voltage direct current Bangladesh-India inter-connection is commissioned. Read More Tags: India, Bangladesh, Energy |
 February 2018Bangladesh and India held a Commerce Secretary-level meeting on 7-8 February 2018 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The discussions focused on issues concerning bilateral trade and economic relations, including infrastructure upgrading at border trading points; expansion of border haats (markets); identification and resolution of non-tariff issues affecting bilateral trade; regional connectivity under the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal Motor Vehicle Agreement; and ease of investment. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Bilateral Trade |
 February 2018The Governments of Nepal and India are preparing to launch the Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) as soon as possible. It received the green light from Nepal's Council of Ministers in January 2018. The planned pilot will run for three months, covering cargo entering Nepal by rail in Birgunj and by road in Biratnagar and Bhairawa. ADB is supporting the piloting of the project through the SASEC Program. Read More Tags: Nepal, ADB, SASEC, India, Transit Facilitation, Electronic Cargo Tracking System |
 January 2018Rapid economic growth and increasing populations pose challenges to the South Asian region’s energy security. Increasing energy cooperation among South Asian countries will help ensure access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy for the entire region. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, BBIN, BIMSTEC, Energy, Regional Cooperation, Hydropower, SAARC |
January 2018 The Government of Bhutan is moving forward with Detailed Project Reports for pipeline hydropower projects in the country, including hydropower joint ventures with the Government of India. Bhutan aims to generate another 5,178 megawatts by 2025 from these pipeline projects, including the 1,125 MW Dorjilung project, 2,560 MW Sunkosh project, and 2,640 MW Kuri Gongri project. Read More Tags: Bhutan, Hydropower, Energy, Electricity, India |
 January 2018South Asian Women Development Forum (SAWDF) will promote products by women entrepreneurs in markets in SAARC countries. A Women Entrepreneur International Trade and Technology Hub will be developed in Visakhapatnam, India, with ADB assistance. The Hub will serve as a one-stop platform for women entrepreneurs and provide training on international trade and business. Read More Tags: ADB, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, SAARC, Sri Lanka, Trade |
 January 2018Customs Cummisionerate, Ludhiana, India, organized an Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Workshop in Sanhewal on 12 January 2018. Around 100 importers, exporters, and logistics officers from Punjab attended the workshop conducted by Delhi Customs. Read More Tags: Customs, Ease of Doing Business, India, Trade Facilitation Agreement, WTO, Authorized Economic Operators |
 January 2018India's Union Cabinet has approved the Land Border Crossing Agreement between India and Myanmar. The Agreement will facilitate regulation and harmonization of already existing free movement rights for people in the border areas, as well as movement of people on the basis of valid passports and visas, encouraging economic and social interaction between the two countries. Read More Tags: India, Myanmar, Trade |
 December 2017The power purchase agreement between the Nepal Electricity Authority and the NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam of India was extended by three months, from 1 January to end of March 2018. This allows Nepal to import up to 160 megawatts of electricity through the Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur cross-border transmission. Read More Tags: Energy, Nepal, India |
 December 2017India's Ministry of Shipping reported planned dredging works in the Zakiganj-Ashuganj section of the Kushiyara river and in the Sirajganj-Daikhowa section of the Jamuna river to help develop year-round navigation. Dredging will be executed by the two countries, subsequent to the decision taken in the meeting of the Shipping Secretaries in December 2016. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Transport |
 December 2017India's Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) will prioritize plans to construct 2,000 kilometers of roads linking India's major highway corridors to international trade points in South Asia. MoRTH Minister Nitin Gadkari highlights that this plan, worth Rs 25,000 crore, will facilitate export/import trade with Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Nepal. The Ministry also took steps to operationalize the BBIN MVA. Read More Tags: ADB, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Transport |
 December 2017India has proposed a $1 billion line of credit (LOC) to strengthen sea, air, and road connectivity with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), according to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, India. India and Myanmar are working together to upgrade infrastructure in the border areas, including the India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) Trilateral Highway, and the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project. Read More Tags: India, ASEAN, IMT-MVA, Myanmar, Motor Vehicles Agreement, Transport |
 November 2017Nepal has decided to join the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) grid interconnection, a move meant to help facilitate trade in electricity and take full advantage of available energy sources. Nepal is expected to sign an MOU to join the grid interconnection at the Third BIMSTEC Energy Ministers' Meeting. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, BIMSTEC, Energy, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Trade Facilitation |
 November 2017An Asian Development Bank report suggests that a shift in India’s electricity policy could help address the acute electricity shortages faced by SAARC countries, which affects socioeconomic development as well as business operations. Policy amendments could help facilitate cross-border power trade among SAARC countries and give communities better access to electricity. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Energy, India, Maldives, Nepal, SAARC, Sri Lanka, Trade |
 October 2017Completion of infrastructure to connect inland waterways of India and Bangladesh could ease movement between the two countries, and make transport of freight to Nepal and Bhutan faster and less expensive. Opening inland waterways would make alternative modes of transport viable and could open up livelihood opportunities, helping facilitate trade in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal, according to experts attending a forum on subregional inland waterways. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Poverty Reduction, Sustainable Development Goals, Transport |
 October 2017The new-look SASEC website is fully mobile-friendly and automatically adjusts to fit the screen you are using — computer, tablet, or mobile phone—making it a convenient choice for staying in touch with regional cooperation throughout South Asia. SASEC has also updated to HTTPS for enhanced cybersecurity and user privacy. Read More Tags: SASEC, ICT, Regional Cooperation, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Maldives |
October 2017 The Asian Development Bank has approved $1.2 billion financing support for the second phase upgrade of the Dhaka-Northwest international trade corridor, the second busiest artery in Bangladesh. Upgrading this corridor will improve access to the Burimari Land Port, which links Bangladesh to Bhutan through India, potentially increasing trade. Read More Tags: ADB, Bangladesh, India, Road, Transport |
 October 2017Ms. Sushma Swaraj, Minister of External Affairs, India, and Mr. Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, Foreign Minister, Bangladesh, co-chaired the Fourth India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) Meeting, reviewing progress on key initiatives and decisions in areas including trade and investment, security, connectivity, border management, power, energy, shipping, and people-to-people exchange. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Connectivity, Energy, Hydropower, Trade, Investment |
 October 2017India's Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) piloted paperless processing of documents in Chennai and New Delhi to promote the ease of doing business. CBEC's newest facility enables digitally signed supporting documents to be uploaded to further reduce clearance time. Read More Tags: Trade, India, Customs |
 October 2017The Government of India has taken steps to implement the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA), coordinating with the Governments of Bangladesh and Nepal through the Ministry of External Affairs to enforce the transport agreement between and among themselves, reported Mr. Nitin Gadkari, Road Transport, Highways, and Shipping Minister, India. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Motor Vehicles Agreement, Transport |
 October 2017Mr. Abul Maal A. Muhith, Finance Minister, Bangladesh, and Mr. Arun Jaitley, Finance Minister, India, signed the Third Line of Credit (LoC) from India to Bangladesh worth $4.5 billion, to be used for implementation of projects in connectivity. Mr. Jaitley lauded the outstanding relations between the two neighbors after a meeting with Mr. Muhith. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Connectivity, Energy, Rail, Shipping, Road, Ports |
 October 2017Ms. Sumitra Mahajan, Speaker, Lok Sabha, India, said South Asian countries need to present a collective front to help the world achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Speaking at the Conference of the Association of SAARC Speakers and Parliamentarians, Ms. Majahan stressed the importance of interaction among the parliaments of SAARC countries and said that national parliaments should focus on the SDGs. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, SAARC, Sri Lanka, Sustainable Development Goals |
 October 2017The Bangladesh-India Business Meeting emphasized the immense prospects for bilateral investment and growth between Bangladesh and India. Mr. Tofail Ahmed, Commerce Minister, Bangladesh, urged India to take steps to reduce the trade deficit through removal of non-tariff and para-tariff barriers, improvement in facilities, mutual recognition of certificates and standards, and better connectivity. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Bilateral Trade |
 October 2017Mr. S. Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary, India, met with Bhutan top leaders to discuss trade and economic ties, energy cooperation, and the implementation of India-assisted projects in Bhutan. Read More Tags: Bhutan, Energy, Hydropower, India, Trade |
 September 2017India has formed the India-Myanmar Chamber of Commerce (IMCC) in Yangon to increase trade between the two countries, which currently stands at around $2 billion. IMCC will focus on helping Indian business invest in Myanmar and vice versa. Read More Tags: Agriculture, Exports, Imports, India, Infrastructure, Renewable Energy, Small and Medium Enterprises, Thailand, Trade, Transport |
 September 2017The 13th Joint Steering Committee Meeting between Bangladesh and India, held on 27-28 September 2017 in New Delhi, India, reviewed Bangladesh-India power sector cooperation, and explored new areas and opportunities, including the possible 840 megawatt (MW) additional electricity import from India to Bangladesh, and planned Bangladesh hydropower imports from Nepal and Bhutan. Read More Tags: India, Bangladesh, Hydropower, Energy, Nepal, Bhutan |
 September 2017This commentary by Mr. Sanjay Kathuria, Lead Economist and Coordinator, South Asia Regional Integration, World Bank Trade and Competitiveness Global Practice, highlights how the growing cooperation between Bangladesh and India provides a glimpse into a more integrated South Asia. Read More Tags: Act East Policy, India |
 September 2017Mr. Tilak Marapana, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sri Lanka, and Ms. Sushma Swaraj, Minister of External Affairs, India, discussed India-Sri Lanka bilateral relations during Mr. Marapana’s three-day visit to India. He also paid a courtesy call to India Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Read More Tags: Sri Lanka, India, Regional Cooperation |
 September 2017A roundtable discussion held in Myanmar noted the need to substantially increase connectivity, trade and diplomatic relations between Myanmar and India. Officials from the two countries participated in the India-Myanmar Dialogue: Act East Policy and India-Myanmar Relations, held on 2 September 2017 in Yangon, Myanmar. The forum was organized by Parami Roundtable and Mizzima Media Group. Read More Tags: ASEAN, BIMSTEC, Connectivity, India, Myanmar, Trade |
 August 2017This commentary by Ms. Ferdaus Ara, Chief Executive Officer, Business Initiative Leading Development, examines the effect of non-tariff barriers to trade on Bangladesh-India exports by discussing the restriction on imports of tomato from Bangladesh. While exporting tomato from Bangladesh would benefit Indian consumers, policies in India, including the Plant Quarantine Order on Regulations of Import 2003, need to be amended. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Tariffs, Trade |
 August 2017Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said trade in India’s northeastern region has increased to $22.6 million. He was speaking at the 25th anniversary celebration conference of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-India Dialogue Partnership, held in Ventiane, Lao PDR. He reiterated India’s commitment to deepen ties with ASEAN countries. Read More Tags: India, ASEAN |
 August 2017The Government of Bangladesh will develop four land ports as part of its initiatives to increase trade and commerce with India. Around $85.2 million was approved by Bangladesh's Executive National Economic Council to improve the Sheola, Bhomra, and Ramgarh land ports. Another project will be undertaken to modernize security at Benapole land port. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Ports, SASEC, Trade |
 August 2017Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, India, urged India and member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to bolster efforts to increase bilateral trade and investment, and improve road and sea transport links. She urged a review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement to facilitate elimination of technical barriers to trade, and promoted transformation of the India-Southeast Asia transport corridors into economic corridors. Read More Tags: India, ASEAN, Bilateral Agreement, Investments, Roads, Transport |
 July 2017The new Agreement on Trade, Commerce, and Transit between India and Bhutan has come into force beginning 29 July 2017. It provides for a free trade regime between the territories of India and Bhutan, and allows duty free transit of Bhutanese goods for trade with third countries. Read More Tags: India, Bhutan, Trade, Free Trade Agreement, Transit Facilitation, Transport |
 July 2017India’s Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, gave its approval for a $253,406,409 project to be implemented by the state-run National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation. The project, part of the SASEC Road Connectivity Investment Program, will upgrade and widen 65 kilometers of the Imphal-Moreh section of National Highway 39 in northeastern India. Read More Tags: India, Road, SASEC, Small and Medium Enterprises, Transport |
 July 2017Economic growth prospects in developing Asia for 2017 have improved on the back of stronger-than-expected export demand in the first quarter of this year, according to Asian Development Bank (ADB) report, Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2017 Supplement. South Asia will remain the fastest growing of all subregions in Asia and the Pacific, with growth on track to meet projections of 7.0% in 2017. Read More Tags: South Asia, ADB, India, Exports, Development |
 July 2017Mr. Younus Dagha, Federal Secretary of Commerce, Pakistan, has urged the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) member countries to focus on removing non-tariff barriers to strengthen trade in the region. The region holds immense trade and investment potential, being home to 21% of the world's population. Read More Tags: SAARC CCI, Investments, Trade, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India |
 July 2017Mr. Harsh Vardan Shringla, India's High Commissioner to Bangladesh, urged the business community to increase the volume of India-Bangladesh cross-border trade, noting how standards certification will boost trade for Bangladesh products. Read More Tags: India, Bangladesh, Standards Harmonization, Trade |
 July 2017The Government of Bangladesh and India's GMR Upper Karnali Hydropower Ltd. are now preparing to sign a power purchase agreement. GMR will be exporting 300 to 500 megawatts (MW) of energy generated by the Upper Karnali Hydroelectric Project in Nepal via India. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Energy |
 July 2017This commentary by Ms. Ferdaus Ara Begum, Chief Executive Officer, Business Initiative Leading Development, highlights the need to improve standards regulation to increase Bangladesh's competitiveness in the export-based manufacturing industry. Recommendations include raising capacity of the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institute to meet global standards in food safety, and involving the private sector in standard setting consultations. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Standards Harmonization, Trade Facilitation, Sanitary and Phytosanitary, Technical Barriers to Trade, SARSO |
 June 2017 |
 June 2017A forum in Kathmandu, Nepal explored actions that will allow landlocked countries to take advantage of being "land-linked". Mr. Bipul Chatterjee, Executive Director, CUTS International, underscored the importance of cooperation among the four countries to be able to move forward. Read More Tags: Nepal, Regional Cooperation, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Infrastructure |
 June 2017Mr. Prabir De, Professor at the Research and Information System for Developing Countries, discusses how the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) subregional grouping’s focus to bridge connectivity gaps is crucial to reducing poverty in the region. He highlights the pressing need to begin implementing comprehensive trade facilitation and connectivity measures in the BBIN subregion, and remarks how success of the BBIN initiative is important to move broader regional integration initiative Read More Tags: Connectivity, BBIN, Trade Facilitation, Transport, Energy, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal |
 June 2017The International Trade Centre's Trade Map reports an increase in intraregional trade in the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) subregion in 2016, from $21.65 billion in 2015 to $23.52 billion. The ratio of BBIN intraregional trade to world trade went up from 2.98% in 2015 to 3.34% in 2016. Read More Tags: BBIN, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Transport, Energy, Trade |
 June 2017The Asia Foundation, in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry, is preparing a study on energy trade in the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal subregion, examining how market forces, networks, and stakeholders interact. In this commentary, Mr. Aditya Valiathan Pillai, program officer of the Asia Foundation in India, discusses the creation of an energy market in South Asia and the growing importance of regional electricity trade in helping mitigate carbon emissions. Read More Tags: South Asia, BBIN, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Energy, Hydropower |
 June 2017The Government of India has proposed application of its "Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik" (UDAN) or "Common People of the Country can Fly" policy among member countries of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). An enabling regional connectivity policy could help attract high value economic agents, business travelers, and tourists. Read More Tags: India, BIMSTEC, Transport, Connectivity, Bhutan, Myanmar, Regional Cooperation |
 June 2017An electronic tracking system will soon ease traffic-in-transit for cargo traveling by road and rail from Kolkata to four major Customs points of Nepal, including the Raxaul route. Mr. Sandeep Kumar, Customs Commissioner, India, and Mr. Rabi Shanker Sainju, Commerce Ministry Joint Secretary, Nepal, signed a memorandum of intent to pilot the tracking system for a trial period of at least 90 days in late 2017. Read More Tags: Electronic Cargo Tracking System, ADB, SASEC, Nepal, India, BBIN, Customs, Road, Rail, Transport |
 May 2017The Government of India plans to begin construction of the highway connecting Meghalaya to Myanmar in June 2017, according to the Ministry of Road Transport, Highways, and Shipping, India. India also plans to boost waterway transit for more cost-effective transport of goods, and is considering waterway connectivity between Myanmar and Bangladesh. Read More Tags: Transport, India, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Southeast Asia |
 May 2017India's Ministry of Power is preparing a set of guidelines for cross-border trade of electricity, with draft regulations from the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission. This will regulate cross-border energy trade between India and Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Nepal, by creating a uniform framework. Read More Tags: India, Energy, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal |
 May 2017Mr. Harsh Vardan Shringla, India's High Commissioner to Bangladesh reiterated India's commitment to remove non-tariff barriers (NTBs) through the standard-setting bodies of India and Bangladesh. The Bureau of Indian Standards and the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution have begun cooperating on certification of goods, to resolve NTB-related export restrictions. Read More Tags: Regional Cooperation, India, Bangladesh, Trade Facilitation, Standards Harmonization |
 May 2017Mr. Abdul Matlub Ahmad, former President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry, expressed confidence in the business relationship between Bangladesh and India, saying it is better right now than any time in the past. He encouraged the trade and business community to utilize the friendship between the two countries to promote development. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Private Sector, Trade Facilitation, Exports |
 May 2017A delegation of the India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IBCCI) met with Mr. Shajahan Khan, Shipping Minister, Bangladesh, to discuss trade bottlenecks in Bangladesh-India land ports. Infrastructural and administrative bottlenecks in land and sea ports of Bangladesh and India slows down the trade process. Long delays for trucks to pass through Customs, for example, results in shortages of warehouses and trucks, and skyrocketing prices in truck rentals. Read More Tags: India, Bangladesh, Trade Facilitation, Transport |
 May 2017Finance ministers and senior officials of member countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka met on 5 May at Yokohama, Japan, at the sidelines of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) 50th Annual General Meeting. Read More Tags: ADB, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Central Asia, Climate Change, Energy, India, Maldives, Nepal, Policy, Regional Cooperation, SAARC, SASEC, Sri Lanka, Trade, Transport |
 May 2017India has signed investment agreements worth $31 million at the Integrated Transport and Logistics Summit in New Delhi, India. The agreements form part of the Government of India’s holistic approach to spur infrastructure growth, according to Mr. Nitin Gadkari, Road Transport and Shipping Minister, India. Read More Tags: India, Transport, Shipping |
 April 2017Sri Lanka Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe visited India on 25-29 April 2017, for discussion with India Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a range of bilateral issues and matters of mutual interest. Prime Minister Wickremesinghe welcomed the signing of the MoU for Cooperation in Economic Projects, which outlines the agenda for bilateral economic cooperation. Read More Tags: India, Sri Lanka, Infrastructure, Trade, Trade Facilitation, Transport |
 April 2017India's Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the ratification of the MOU for the Establishment of the BIMSTEC Grid Interconnection. The MOU is expected to be signed at the next BIMSTEC Energy Minsters' Meeting and provides a broad framework for energy trade among BIMSTEC member countries. Read More Tags: BIMSTEC, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Connectivity, Energy, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand |
 April 2017Bangladesh has the potential to become a transport hub for India, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Myamar, according to Mr. AMA Muhith, Finance Minister, Bangladesh. Turning Bangladesh into a regional and transshipment hub would enhance economic cooperation and result in collective economic growth for the countries, Mr. Muhith said at the SASEC Finance Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi, India. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Economic Corridor Development, Energy, ICT, India, Nepal, Maldives, Myanmar, SASEC, South Asia, Sri Lanka, Trade Facilitation, Transport, Regional Cooperation |
 April 2017India’s Act East Policy will help improve connectivity among countries in Southeast and East Asia, said Mr. Arun Jaitley, Finance Minister, India. He noted projects to connect trade routes to India’s neighbors and explained how regional power trade would help SASEC member countries achieve energy security. Read More Tags: India, Act East Policy, Bangladesh |
 March 2017SASEC is now on Facebook, connecting followers to the most up-to-date news on regional cooperation in South Asia, SASEC events, project information, and publications that are all featured daily on www.sasec.asia. To follow SASEC on Facebook, simply click here; then click “Like” at the top of the Facebook page. Read More Tags: SASEC, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Regional Cooperation, Trade, Economic cooperation |
 March 2017Low exports and rising imports are causing exponential growth in Nepal's trade deficit, according to Nepal’s Minister of Commerce, and he urged ministries, agencies, and the private sector to collaborate to bridge Nepal's widening export gap. The Ministry of Commerce has prioritized initiatives to promote Nepal's productive capacity. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Trade |
 March 2017A fast-rising information technology-enabled services (ITES) is opening global opportunities for the millions of Indian college graduates that enter the workforce every year. In this article, Mr. Pritam Banergee, Senior Director for Corporate Public Policy (South Asia), Deutsche Post DHL, discusses the need for India’s government and businesses to focus on trade policy reform that ensure markets remain open for the ITES sector. Read More Tags: ICT, India, Employment, Jobs, Services, South Asia, Tariffs, Technology, Trade Facilitation, Trade Facilitation Agreement, Trade Policy, WTO, Authorized Economic Operators |
 March 2017Informal trading in the Northeast region's border 'haats' (rural markets) between India and Myanmar is doing very well, reported Mr. Najib Shah, Chairman of India's Central Board of Excise and Customs. The Government of India is considering opening more border haats to promote trade ties with its neighbors. Read More Tags: India, Myanmar, Trade, Trade Facilitation, Connectivity |
 March 2017The Eighth BIMSTEC Roundtable Meeting tackled “Rewriting the Rulebook of Regional Connectivity,” emphasizing the need to resolve border-related trade barriers through coordination of government policies across Asia, including Customs procedures and clearance of goods, to unlock the vibrancy of the Asian Highway and reduce the cost of doing business. Read More Tags: BIMSTEC, Trade, Customs, Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, ICT, Nepal, Transport, Ease of Doing Business |
 March 2017India's Ministry of Shipping will set up an international river port in Sonamura, connecting Gomati River in Tripura, in India's northeast, with Meghna river in Bangladesh. India’s Inland Waterways Authority approved the proposal to enable small ferries and boats to transport goods through river transit, according to Minister of State for Industries and Commerce. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Transport |
 February 2017Bilateral trade between India and Myanmar increased from nearly $11.9 million in 2013-2014 to around $22.2 million in 2015-2016, according to India's Ministry of Commerce and Industry. India's Act East Policy was instrumental in promoting trade growth between the two countries, deepening economic cooperation and expanding trade through India's Northeast region. Read More Tags: Act East Policy, India, Myanmar, Trade, Transport |
 February 2017India filed a draft Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) on Services at the World Trade Organization (WTO) on 23 February 2017. The proposal aims to increase transparency, reduce costs and facilitate cross-border flows of services. India is looking to push the proposal at the WTO Ministerial Meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in December. Read More Tags: Customs, India, Services, Trade Facilitation Agreement, Transparency, Transport, WTO |
 February 2017The Asian Development Bank and the Government of India have signed a $375 million agreement to develop the 800-kilometer Visakhapatnam (Vizag)-Chennai Industrial Corridor. The agreement includes the first tranche of $245 million, which will develop high-quality infrastructure in Visakhapatnam and Yerpedu-Srikalahasti, a $125 million policy-based loan, and a $5 million grant to build climate change resilient infrastructure. Read More Tags: ADB, Economic corridor, India, Act East Policy, Make in India, manufacturing |
 February 2017Good connectivity reduces the cost of doing business and increases the competitive strengths of trading partners. In this commentary, Dr. Mustafizur Rahman, Executive Director, Centre for Policy Dialogue, highlights how a sanitary and phytosanitary agreement and an effective Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal Motor Vehicle Agreement would promote South Asian integration and step up Asia-wide cooperation. Read More Tags: BBIN, Motor Vehicles Agreement, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Transport, Economic corridor |
 February 2017The World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement came into force after Rwanda, Oman, Chad, and Jordan submitted their instruments of acceptance to WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo. The submissions bring the total number of ratifications over the 110 required for activation. Members’ trade costs are forecast to lower by 14.3%, with developing countries having the most to gain. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, LDC, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Trade Facilitation Agreement, WTO |
 February 2017The Governments of India and Nepal discussed how to bring transmission line projects—the Dhalkebar (Nepal)-Muzaffarpur (India) transmission line, Raxaul (India)-Parwanipur (Nepal) transmission line, and Kataiya (India)-Kushaha (Nepal) transmission line—into operation. They agreed to increase the Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur transmission line to 220 kVa capacity in May 2017, and begin electricity import through the Raxaul-Parwanipur and Kataiya-Kushaha transmission line. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Energy, Transmission, Hydropower, Trade, Electricity |
 February 2017The National Academy of Customs, Excise and Narcotics (NACEN) in Faridabad, India organized a capacity building program for Bangladesh Customs. Topics included modern clearance processes, Customs valuation, post-clearance audit, use of risk management systems, and the role of Customs in economic corridors. Read More Tags: Customs, India, Free Trade Agreement, Economic corridor |
 February 2017Indian business leaders met with World Trade Organization (WTO) Director General Roberto Azevêdo to discuss the future of the global trading system. The roundtable meeting, hosted by the International Chamber of Commerce and attended by over 50 senior representatives from various sectors, focused on trade reforms to strengthen inclusive growth and other world trade developments. Read More Tags: India, Employment, Services, Trade, Trade Facilitation, WTO |
 February 2017The outlook for trade growth has weakened and we are seeing an uncertain period in the global economy. In this speech delivered before the Confederation of Indian Industry, World Trade Organization Director-General Roberto Azevêdo asserts that instead of raising barriers, the opening up of trade will ensure more opportunities for more people. Read More Tags: Connectivity, Development, India, ICT, Employment, Services, Trade Facilitation Agreement, WTO |
 February 2017The Ganges flows through the middle of Bihar, India, physically dividing it into north and south. Enhanced connectivity can improve lives and livelihoods, especially if the infrastructure is climate-sensitive. Ms. Saleha Waseem, Operations Communications Specialist at the Asian Development Bank’s South Asia Regional Department, shows how improving transport links would make a huge difference to millions of people. Read More Tags: ADB, Agriculture, Bangladesh, Connectivity, Development, Economic corridor, Regional Cooperation, India, Nepal, Road, Services, Transport |
 February 2017Hydropower cooperation among Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal could be a viable option for addressing growing power needs in the region, said Mr. Ainun Nishat, Professor Emeritus, Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research, Brac University, Bangladesh. Nepal’s hydropower potential stands at 83,000 megawatts (MW), while Bhutan’s is at 40,000 MW and northeast India’s at 60,000 MW. Read More Tags: Hydropower, Energy, Renewable Energy, Sustainability, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal |
 January 2017The second meeting of the Nepal-India Oversight Mechanism, held on 30 January 2017 in Kathmandu, Nepal, reviewed progress of India-funded economic and development projects in Nepal, and agreed to expedite implementation of these projects for timely completion. Projects discussed included cross-border railways, integrated check posts, and cross-border transmission lines. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Rail, Hydropower, Infrastructure, Transport, Energy |
 January 2017Limited cooperation and economic integration in South Asia continue to hinder its growth potential, despite being one of the fastest-growing regions in the world. In this commentary, Dr. Shamsul Alam, Member (Senior Secretary), General Economics Division, Planning Commission, Government of Bangladesh, argues for the need to think of pragmatic approaches and re-imagine regional cooperation in South Asia. Read More Tags: ASEAN, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Connectivity, India, European Union, Infrastructure |
 January 2017A railway network linking India and its neighboring countries, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Nepal, is being considered by the Government of India, according to India Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu. Developing railway connectivity will increase employment, interaction, trade, and tourism. Read More Tags: India, Rail, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Trade, Trade Facilitation, Transport, Tourism, Employment |
 January 2017The Integrated Research and Action for Development initiative has launched the analytical study “Economic Benefits from Nepal-India Electricity Trade,” confirming that a large economically feasible electricity export potential exists. Electricity trade can help boost Nepal's economy and improve the well-being of its people, and offers India an affordable and convenient renewable resource to meet demand. Read More Tags: Hydropower, Nepal, India, Energy |
 January 2017The interactive session “Harnessing Regional Cooperation in South Asia” held at the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum discussed how regional economic cooperation is helping accelerate growth and development. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina emphasized continuous initiatives, in economic cooperation in South Asia, including SAFTA and SASEC. India Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman lauded initiatives to boost connectivity. Read More Tags: South Asia, Regional Cooperation, Trade Facilitation, Transport, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal |
 January 2017India is set to join the Transports Internationaux Routiers (TIR), or International Road Transport Convention in its bid to establish seamless trade connectivity with Southeast Asia and Eurasian countries. Through the TIR Convention, India could access Eurasia via the International North-South Transport Corridor. TIR would also give India an advantage in trade with fellow signatories of the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicles Agreement. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Connectivity, Customs, Economic corridor, Harmonization, Motor Vehicles Agreement, Road, Roads, Trade Facilitation, Trade, Transport, BBIN |
 January 2017 |
 January 2017Transboundary rivers between India and Nepal have huge hydropower and irrigation potential. Developing these rivers can become an engine for regional development, alleviating poverty for millions of people within a reasonable timeframe. With improved relations between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal, formulating and implementing sustainable plans to manage these rivers presents a significant win-win opportunity for the subregion. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Hydropower, Kosi River, Sustainability, Poverty Reduction |
 January 2017Bangladesh, China, India, Laos, South Korea, and Sri Lanka, member countries of the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA), moved to expand trade and boost growth in the region by agreeing to increase the number of products under preferential tariff treatment to 10,677 items from 4,270 at the 4th session of the APTA Ministerial Council. Read More Tags: Asia-Pacific, Bangladesh, Development, Regional Cooperation, Services, Sri Lanka, Sustainability, Tariffs, Trade, Trade Facilitation, UNESCAP, India |
 January 2017India is set to undertake a number of projects in the city of Khulna, Bangladesh, including a planned Mongla Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for Indian companies. India is also offering to undertake joint projects with Bangladesh to modernize the Mongla sea port and to construct the Khan Jahan Ali Airport. Trade between India and Bangladesh has seen a substantial increase in the last few years. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Economic zone |
 January 2017Nepal has upgraded the Thame Khola Small Hydropower Plant in Namche VDC, Solukhumbu District, raising the plant’s capacity from 630 kilowatts (kW) to 930 kW. India provided assistance of $54,500 for the upgrade. The facility supplies power to the upper Khumbu valley, including 18 villages of Khumjung and Namche VDC. Read More Tags: Hydropower, Nepal, India, Energy |
 January 2017The Government of Sri Lanka aims to attract $50 billion in foreign investment in the next 5-10 years to help develop infrastructure, and boost exports to $20 billion by 2020. This year, Sri Lanka expects to sign free-trade deals with India, Singapore, and China. Read More Tags: Sri Lanka, Exports, India, China, Free Trade Agreement, BIMSTEC, Tourism |
 January 2017The Second India-Bhutan Joint Working Group on Customs highlighted the possibility of facilitating bilateral trade in select land Customs stations along Bhutan-India borders; and discussed streamlining Customs procedures and document requirements at entry and exit points. It also agreed to open three more trading points between Bhutan and India, and discussed issues including development of Goods and Service Tax in India. Read More Tags: India, Bhutan, Customs, Trade, Trade Facilitation, Bilateral Agreement |
 January 2017Through infrastructure improvements and policy reforms, Assam is becoming more investment friendly, prompting the possibility of Assam and the entire northeast India becoming the country’s new growth engine, according to Assam’s Chief Minister. The State is connected to all of India’s major cities through the East-West Corridor and is also set to improve connectivity with ASEAN and BIMSTEC countries through proposed road and rail projects. Read More Tags: India, manufacturing |
 December 2016A Regional Workshop on the SASEC Research and Training Network was held to assess the results and achievements of the SASEC Information Highway Project. The Meeting reviewed project implementation, discussed knowledge products, and summarized project benefits to rural communities. It also proposed ways to facilitate sustainable ICT cooperation among the four countries. Read More Tags: ICT, SASEC, ADB, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal |
 December 2016Nepal’s hydropower potential could be realized with an efficient technological base, entrepreneurial vision, a coordinated power trading approach, and sustained investment commitment. Hydropower development would bring economic, social, and environmental benefits in Nepal and the rest of the South Asian region. In this speech delivered at the Power Summit, Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal vowed to support domestic and foreign investors through a policy encouraging investment. Read More Tags: Development, Energy, Hydropower, India, Investment, Nepal, Private Sector, Regional Cooperation, Trade |
 December 2016The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved an additional $20 million for the SASEC Power System Expansion Project in Nepal, to be provided by the ADB Strategic Climate Fund. This additional financing will support installation of utility-scale solar photovoltaic systems by 2018. The Government of Nepal is also providing complementary funding of $24.5 million. Read More Tags: Energy, Nepal, Trade, Hydropower, ADB, SASEC, Climate Change, Renewable Energy, Sustainability, Regional Cooperation, Regional Integration, Solar Energy, India |
 December 2016The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence under the Central Board of Excise and Customs organized the 4th Regional Customs Enforcement Meeting in New Delhi, India, as part of its Founding Day celebrations. The Heads of Customs Enforcement from Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Mauritius and Maldives were invited to participate in the said Meeting, which discussed issues of mutual concern, noted the need to share information and activate channels of coordination. Read More Tags: Customs, Trade Facilitation, South Asia, Regional Cooperation, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Trade |
 December 2016India's Ministry of Power has issued Guidelines on Cross-Border Trade of Electricity, with the aim of facilitating cross-border trade of electricity between India and its neighboring countries; promoting transparency, consistency and predictability in regulatory approaches across jurisdictions and minimizing perceptions of regulatory risk; and developing reliable grid operation and transmission of electricity across borders. Read More Tags: India, Energy, Hydropower, SAARC, Trade |
 December 2016An India-Myanmar-Thailand Friendship Motor Car Rally, beginning in New Delhi, India and culminating in Bangkok, Thailand, has highlighted potential benefits of intra-regional connectivity and integration, and sensitized stakeholders on the all-weather road that will make travel from New Delhi to Bangkok by road possible. Read More Tags: India, Myanmar, Thailand, IMT-MVA, Transport, Road |
 December 2016 |
 November 2016A notification for moving export and import cargo to and from Nepal through Visakhapatnam (Vizag) Port in Andhra Pradesh, India, was issued by the Nepal Department of Customs. This follows the go-ahead given by the Central Bank of Nepal to issue letters of credit to clients using Vizag Port to bring in trade. Furthermore, the Government of Nepal is considering establishing a consulate in Andhra Pradesh to ensure more efficient utilization of Vizag Port. Read More Tags: Nepal, India, Trade Facilitation, Ports, Imports, Exports, LLDC |
 November 2016 |
 November 2016The new India-Bhutan Trade, Commerce and Transit Agreement was signed on 12 November 2016 in Thimphu, Bhutan. The bilateral Agreement focuses on promoting trade between the two countries through trade facilitation, improving trade procedures, and adding exit and entry points to facilitate Bhutan's third-country trade. Read More Tags: Bhutan, India, Trade Facilitation, Trade, LLDC |
 November 2016In a meeting with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Mr. Kazi M. Azul Islam, Chairman, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority, promised CII delegates that Bangladesh will work toward improving the country’s ‘Ease of Doing Business’ to encourage more investors from India. Bangladesh has set a five-year target to improve its ease of doing business. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Ease of Doing Business, Investment, Energy, Infrastructure, Bilateral Trade |
 November 2016EPing, an online alert system for updates on the latest information on regulatory requirements for international trade, was launched by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the World Trade Organization, and the International Trade Centre. The system enables access to WTO member notifications on TBT and SPS measures, and facilitates dialogue among the public and private sector in the early stages of potential trade issues. Read More Tags: Trade Facilitation, Technical Barriers to Trade, Sanitary and Phytosanitary, Trade, WTO, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka |
 November 2016The Governments of Bangladesh and India are preparing a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to expand their agreement on Bangladesh-India border ‘haats’ (markets). The MOU extends the provision to operate border haats to five years, increases the number of vendors allowed, and sets a $200 purchase limit per person. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Trade, Border Haat |
 October 2016A new Agreement on Trade, Commerce, and Transit between India and Bhutan, enabling a free trade regime between the two countries, and providing for duty-free transit of Bhutanese merchandise for trade with third countries, has been approved by the Cabinet of India, in a meeting chaired by India Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Read More Tags: Bhutan, India, Trade Facilitation, Transport, Bilateral Trade |
 October 2016Mr. S. Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, India, called on Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena to discuss potential partnerships between India and Sri Lanka in sectors including energy, infrastructure, and transport, and Sri Lanka Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to further discuss boosting bilateral trade and investment. Read More Tags: India, Sri Lanka, Energy, Infrastructure, Transport |
 October 2016A high-level panel formed by the Governments of India and Nepal will work to address bottlenecks in infrastructure projects in Nepal funded by the Government of India—including hydropower projects, roads and railways—to ensure their timely completion. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Rail, Transport, Energy |
 October 2016South Asian countries should engage more in regional energy trade and joint management of resources. By doing so, they could save over $9 billion annually and reduce carbon emissions by 8%. And since energy drives development, energy cooperation and trade is expected to translate to improved standards of living and poverty reduction. Read More Tags: Energy, Hydropower, South Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka |
 October 2016The Governments of India and Bangladesh have begun the process of acquiring land in Bangladesh to build the new India-Bangladesh railway project. The 15 kilometer (km) railway will connect Agartala (India) to Akhaura (Bangladesh), and reduce the 1,613-km mountainous distance between Agartala and Kolkata to 514 km. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Transport, Rail |
 October 2016The $631 million loan and grant support from the Asian Development Bank provides a huge boost to the 800-kilometer Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor (VCIC) section of the 2500-km East Coast Economic Corridor. Approved in September 2016, the VCIC Development Program will help develop India’s first coastal industrial corridor and create seamless trade links between South and Southeast Asia. Read More Tags: Economic corridor, India, Vizag-Chennai Industrial Corridor, Infrastructure, Ease of Doing Business |
 October 2016In recent years, countries in South Asia have shown increasing commitment to deepening regional cooperation through bilateral agreements and regional initiatives, including the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal Motor Vehicles Agreement. This commentary by Ms. Nahela Nowshin of the Centre for Policy Dialogue discusses the importance of regional initiatives in South Asia, as well as the need to promote dialogue on matters of regional cooperation and connectivity. Read More Tags: Trade Facilitation, Transport, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal |
 October 2016A new Customs inspection and verification procedure is changing how trade is conducted among South Asian countries. Through the BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement, cargo and passenger vehicles may now pass through the four countries more smoothly. The simplified process greatly benefits apparel-centric economies, making South Asia more competitive for both global and domestic brands. Read More Tags: BBIN, Customs, Trade Facilitation, Garments, Imports, Motor Vehicles Agreement, Bangladesh, India, Nepal |
 October 2016India's Central Board of Excise and Customs announced an expansion of scope of India's ATA Carnet facility to include duty-free and tax-free temporary admission of goods for private exhibitions, trade fairs, and meetings. This initiative will contribute effectively to the Government's program to improve the country's 'Ease of Doing Business', and make India a prime destination for international events, conventions, and exhibitions. Read More Tags: India, Trade Facilitation, Standards Harmonization |
 September 2016ADB has approved a multitranche financing facility and grant of $500 million for the Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor Development Program to develop India’s first coastal industrial corridor, with the Government of India also contributing $215 million in funding. The Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor is a key section of India’s planned East Coast Economic Corridor. Read More Tags: ADB, Economic corridor, Vizag-Chennai Industrial Corridor, India, SASEC, SASEC Operational Plan |
 September 2016The six member countries of the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Program have launched the SASEC Operational Plan for 2016-2025. The plan expands the program’s focus beyond intraregional cooperation to deepening linkages with Southeast and East Asia, and widens the scope of transport, trade facilitation, and energy cooperation to include economic corridor development as a priority initiative. The plan also lists more than 200 potential regional projects for South Asia. Read More Tags: ADB, SASEC, Economic corridor, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka |
 September 2016The 13th SAARC trade fair was held in Thimphu, Bhutan, to promote intra-regional trade and investment among SAARC countries. In his opening address, Mr. Lekey Dorji, Bhutan Economic Affairs Minister, underscored the importance of fostering business links among companies in the region to accelerate economic growth and improve people's well-being. Read More Tags: SAARC, Trade, South Asia, Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka |
 September 2016The India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) Trilateral Highway is set to be completed by 2019-2020. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assigned the India Ministry of External Affairs to monitor and oversee its completion. Read More Tags: IMT-MVA, Transport, India, ASEAN, |
 September 2016A seminar organized by CUTS International has recommended promotion of regional value chains in agriculture between India and Bangladesh. A recent CUTS International study revealed huge opportunities for trade in agricultural produce: for example, in Tripura, India, produce sourced from Indian states can be easily imported from nearby areas of Bangladesh at a much faster time and for less cost. Read More Tags: India, Bangladesh, Trade |
 September 2016A 'Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Hydropower' forum in Kathmandu, Nepal stressed the need for more FDI in hydropower projects. According to Nepal Minister for Energy Janardan Sharma, Nepal needs more investment to be able to fully harness its hydropower capacity. The Power Trade Agreement signed by Nepal and India promises a huge market for Nepal's hydroelectricity. Read More Tags: Nepal, Investment, Hydropower, Energy, India, Exports |
 September 2016Customs-free borders for Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal will save time and money for importers and exporters and thereby increase the ease of doing business, according to an executive of the Federation of Indian Exporters Organisation (FIEO). Because goods no longer have to be unloaded at the border, trucks can easily cross borders, reducing time and logistics costs for both buyer and seller. Read More Tags: BBIN, Customs, Trade, Motor Vehicles Agreement, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India |
 September 2016India Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared the country’s desire to prioritize a trade facilitation agreement (TFA) for services, on 6 September at the G20 Summit in Hangzhou, China, noting its potential to help professionals and business move from one country to another. Mr. Modi said that the service sector has huge potential and contributes significantly to the economy. Read More Tags: India, BRICS, Trade Facilitation, WTO |
 September 2016As part of the Government of India’s Act East Policy, Indian Railways is set to provide a rail link to Bhutan to boost ties with its South Asian neighbors. Feasibility studies have been conducted for extended links between Kokrajhar-Gelephu, Rangiya-Samdrupjonkhar, Banarhat-Samtse, and Pathsala-Nanglam. India’s Northeast Frontier Railway has also undertaken survey work for rail connectivity to Nepal and Bangladesh. Read More Tags: India, Bhutan, Rail, Transport |
September 2016 A new chapter in trade relations and people-to-people contact between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal (BBIN) began on 5 September 2016, as a Bangladeshi cargo truck rolled into the Customs Inland Container Depot, Patparganj, Delhi. Though the vehicle entered India through Petrapole Land Customs Station, Customs clearance was done at the ICD, Patparganj, as part of a trial run of the BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement. Read More Tags: BBIN, Trade Facilitation, Transport, Motor Vehicles Agreement, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal |
 September 2016India Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) share the responsibility to shape an agenda to help developing nations. He also spoke of the need to deepen ties with Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) countries. Read More Tags: India, BRICS, BIMSTEC, Regional Cooperation |
 September 2016Finance Ministers from the eight South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) member states are pushing for the formation of a South Asian Economic Union (SAEU) to ensure larger inflow of investments, higher trade volumes, and energy generation. The ministers highlighted the need to fast-track the formation of the SAEU to help boost the inflow of investments and trade volumes. Read More Tags: SAEU, SAARC, Trade, Energy, Trade Facilitation, Bangladesh, India, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal |
 August 2016The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Finance Ministers’ Meeting focused on improving trade relations among member nations. Discussions revolved around economic issues, Customs unions, avoidance of double taxation, improving connectivity, increasing trade volume, and developing supply chain linkages. Read More Tags: SAARC, India, Trade, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Connectivity, Customs, SASEC, Trade |
 August 2016The Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) undertook a 6-day visit to Bangladesh, and met with the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), to look into economic opportunities India and Bangladesh could tap. SGCCI signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with DCCI and CCCI, to explore new areas of cooperation and boost bilateral trade relations. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Private Sector, Trade |
 August 2016The Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA) is set to boost infrastructure development in the BBIN subregion. Bangladesh will see significant increase in cargo movement, enabling India to access its Northeast region, and helping facilitate third-country trade of landlocked Bhutan and Nepal. However, major investments in infrastructure are needed to maximize Bangladesh’s potential to become a transport and transshipment hub. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Trade Facilitation |
 August 2016Bangladesh is pushing for the development of railway corridors with India to facilitate trade and investment among BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal) countries. To help boost regional trade, Bangladesh Railway is looking to revive five routes to India, and build railway links to connect with Bhutan and Nepal. Read More Tags: Transport, Rail, Bangladesh, India, BBIN |
 August 2016Mr. Nitin Gadkari, Road Transport and Shipping Minister, India, led the inauguration of the Varanasi-Haldia inland waterway route, laying the foundation stone for an inland waterway terminal, and flagging off a trial run of two cargo vessels from Varanasi to Haldia Port near Kolkata, a route that touches Nepal’s two major rivers—Koshi and Gandaki. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Trade Facilitation, Transport |
 August 2016The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) India Business Council (AIBC) called for opening of trade between India's northeastern states and the ASEAN region, in a meeting with India Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. AIBC also sought to finalize the ASEAN-India Transit Transport Agreement before completion of the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway. Read More Tags: India, Trade, Transport, ASEAN |
 August 2016The Government of India has established a National Committee on Trade Facilitation, in line with a provision contained in the World Trade Organization's Trade Facilitation Agreement. The Committee will be chaired by the Cabinet Secretary, and will lead development of a pan-India road map for trade facilitation. Read More Tags: India, Trade Facilitation, RKC |
 August 2016Development of infrastructure at Sheola, Thegamukh, and Bhomra land ports under the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal (BBIN) initiative for regional connectivity will increase economic activity, according to a feasibility study report jointly undertaken by India and the People’s Republic of China. The report was presented at a National Public Consultation Workshop in Bangladesh on 11 August 2016. Read More Tags: Ports, Bangladesh, India, Trade Facilitation, Transport |
 August 2016The Government of India has proposed formation of a National Industrial Corridor Development Authority to facilitate integrated development of industrial corridors across the country. Two corridors, the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor and the Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor, are currently under different stages of development. Read More Tags: India, Economic corridor, Vizag-Chennai Industrial Corridor, |
 August 2016Ongoing negotiations for the proposed Sri Lanka-India Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) are addressing many of the existing procedural barriers and delays Sri Lankan exporters face in Indian ports of entry. In this speech, Mr. Malik Samarawickrama, Sri Lanka Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade, discusses measures included in the Government's economic reform agenda, including ETCA. Read More Tags: Sri Lanka, Trade, Exports, India |
 August 2016Absence of a harmonized system of standards among South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) members is one reason for the increase of technical barriers to trade, giving rise to non-tariff barriers that hamper SAARC intra-regional trade. A commentary by Mr. Wasi Ahmed, a former senior trade diplomat, discusses the growing recognition of importance of harmonized regional standards within SAARC. Read More Tags: SAARC, Trade, Regional Cooperation, Standards Harmonization, Bangladesh, India |
 August 2016India is upbeat on India-Bangladesh bilateral relations, particularly on connectivity and bilateral trade. Mr. Harsh Vardhan Shringla, High Commissioner of lndia to Bangladesh, emphasized at a Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry meeting, that Bangladesh is integral to India’s Act East Policy and noted the many efforts to link the two countries. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Rail, Bilateral Trade, Transport |
 August 2016River management provides opportunities to release regenerative capacities of the people and environment of basin-wide areas. The following article suggests South Asian countries cooperate to fulfill a promise of greater sustainability. Cooperation in water resource management can serve as a catalyst for broader regional cooperation, economic integration, and development. Read More Tags: BBIN, Rivers, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Transport |
 August 2016Nepal private sector representatives, including members of the Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the Nepal Freight Forwarders' Association, and India port authorities from Kolkata and Visakhapatnam, met to discuss measures needed to bring India's Visakhapatnam Port into full-fledged operation for Nepal's third country trade, and simplifying clearing processes for Nepal-bound cargoes. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Trade Facilitation |
 August 2016 |
 August 2016The Government of India is taking steps to boost the country’s exports by promoting access to new products, and expanding market access initiatives and market development schemes. India is promoting product standards, providing a facility for duty-free import of machinery for production of goods for export, and helping in the packaging and branding of Indian-made products. Read More Tags: India, Exports, Trade |
 July 2016Indian Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu and Bangladeshi Railway Minister Mazibul Hoque jointly laid the foundation stone for the 15 kilometer (km) Agartala (India)-Akhaura (Bangladesh) railway project. This rail link reduces the Agartala-Kolkata distance from 1,613 km to 514 km. Read More Tags: Rail, India, Bangladesh, Transport |
 July 2016The Indian Prime Minister is prioritizing stronger relations with South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) member countries. Deputy High Commissioner of India JP Singh said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is taking steps to improve trade relations with SAARC member states, citing the liberalization of India’s visa regime for the business community. Read More Tags: India, SAARC, Trade, Business, Visa |
 July 2016South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) investment projects increased to a cumulative $7.66 billion in the areas of transport, energy, trade facilitation, and ICT with the recent approval of India’s Bihar New Ganga Bridge Project. To date, 40 SASEC-supported projects are helping member countries strengthen regional connectivity infrastructure, promote economic growth, and foster regional cooperation. In addition, there are now 71 technical assistance projects worth $66.14 mi Read More Tags: SASEC, Energy, Trade Facilitation, Transport, South Asia, ADB, ICT, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Economic Corridor Development |
 July 2016Implementation of the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicle Agreement (MVA) may start in December, according to Bangladesh Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, while speaking at a closing ceremony of a drivers' training on road safety. Read More Tags: BBIN, Trade Facilitation, Transport, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal |
 July 2016The economic corridor development (ECD) strategy is an approach that integrates and synergizes industry, infrastructure, and urbanization through meticulous planning over a long-term horizon. An Asian Development Bank (ADB) blog post by Mr. Hoe Yun Jeong, Senior Economist (Regional Cooperation), South Asia Regional Department, published on 26 July 2016, shares how an ECD approach can be beneficial for the South Asia region. Read More Tags: Economic corridor, India, Vizag-Chennai Industrial Corridor, South Asia, East Coast Economic Corridor, Economic Corridor Development, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka |
 July 2016The Governments of India and Sri Lanka have agreed to fast-track negotiations on the proposed Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement, with the aim of concluding talks by end 2016. A meeting between Indian and Sri Lankan officials is set in August 2016, where discussions may include removal of technical barriers to trade hampering Sri Lankan exports to India. Read More Tags: India, Sri Lanka, Trade |
 July 2016India's National Green Tribunal has approved registration of a Delhi-Kathmandu bus service by the Delhi Transport Corporation, offering transit between select destinations in India and Nepal. The bus service was launched to further enhance economic ties between the two countries Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Transport |
 July 2016India Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina jointly inaugurated the Petrapole Integrated Checkpost (ICP). Prime Minister Modi lauded the event as an important milestone in India-Bangladesh relations, providing a boost to bilateral connectivity and trade, while Bangladesh Prime Minister Hasina expressed hope that the ICP will further enhance good relations between the two countries Read More Tags: India, Bangladesh, Customs, Trade, Trade Facilitation |
 July 2016Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, member countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), have stepped up their support for the proposed SAARC Industrial Parks by allocating lands for the planned initiative. Designated areas include Chittagong, Bangladesh; Gujarat, India; and Faisalabad City, Pakistan. Read More Tags: SAARC, Trade, Private Sector, Bangladesh, India |
 July 2016Mr. Hun Kim, Director General, South Asia Department, ADB, describes how partnership of 6 South Asian countries through the ADB-supported South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Program is helping propel economic growth in South Asia, amidst an uncertain regional and global economic climate, by working to increase trade volumes to reduce the number of impoverished people in the region. Read More Tags: Regional Cooperation, South Asia, Energy, Trade Facilitation, Transport, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka |
 July 2016Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) signed a landmark Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA) meant to allow smooth passage of goods and passenger vehicles in each other’s territories. In this blog post, Sanjay Kathuria, Lead Economist and Coordinator, South Asia Regional Integration, Trade and Competitiveness Global Practice, World Bank, asks if South Asia is truly ready for such a regional agreement. Read More Tags: South Asia, Transport, Trade Facilitation, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka |
 July 2016The Governments of Bangladesh and India are working on plans to expand the regional energy market by doubling the capacities of cross-border power transmission interconnections, and setting up a third cross-border energy grid. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Energy |
 July 2016India's Central Board of Excise and Customs is working to fast-track cargo clearance to hours, instead of days, through implementation of a paperless system for cargo clearance. The Government of India aims to fully digitize Customs clearance, replacing physical documentation, by 2017. Read More Tags: India, Customs, Trade |
 July 2016Talks to implement a regular bus service between India and Thailand through Myanmar are underway as part of a Motor Vehicle Agreement being finalized by India, Myanmar, and Thailand (IMT). The service would run on the 1,400 kilometer IMT Trilateral Highway linking South and Southeast Asia. Read More Tags: India, Myanmar, Thailand, Trade Facilitation, Transport |
 July 2016Plans are underway to open up coastal shipping routes between Bangladesh and India to passenger and cruise vessels. According to Bangladesh Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, the two countries are in talks to sign a memorandum of understanding allowing Indian vessels through Bangladesh's waterways, to ease travel to India's northeast. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Transport, Shipping |
 July 2016The BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement (MVA) is making it easier for passengers and freight vehicles in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal to travel around the region. BBIN finalized the MVA in an effort to facilitate cross-border trade and travel in South Asia. A BBIN Business Forum sees energy and water cooperation playing a vital role in taking integration even further in the region. Read More Tags: India, Trade, Trade Facilitation, Transport, BBIN |
 July 2016BBIN Business Forum states that Customs duties and taxation must be harmonized in order to improve trade among Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal. Following the successful signing of the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal Motor Vehicles Agreement (BBIN MVA), the countries must now pursue ways to make the movement of goods and people easier. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Trade Facilitation, Transport, Cooperation |
 June 2016The interactive SASEC Corridor Map on the SASEC Program website and SASEC Mobile App is your gateway to SASEC projects. View projects by sector—energy, transport, trade facilitation, and ICT—or by corridor using the interactive map, to learn how the SASEC program is helping promote regional prosperity in South Asia. The map also includes project information and links to SASEC project pages. Read More Tags: SASEC, Economic corridor, Energy, Trade Facilitation, Transport, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives |
 June 2016Regional trade in power could save India from having to invest in 35,000 megawatts in coal-fire facilities, estimated at $26 billion, over the next 25 years. Through energy trade with Afghanistan, Bhutan, and Nepal, India could benefit from reduced fuel costs and a 6.5% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Read More Tags: India, Energy, Regional Cooperation, Renewable Energy |
 June 2016Meetings between Customs officials from SASEC member countries reaps benefits for the SASEC subregion and beyond, providing a platform for officers to decide the next steps in improving cross-border coordination and cooperation to resolve bottlenecks for trade at the borders. An Asian Development Bank (ADB) blog post by Ms. Rose McKenzie, Senior Regional Cooperation Specialist, Regional Cooperation and Operations Coordination, South Asia Regional Department, ADB, is shared. Read More Tags: Customs, Trade Facilitation, Regional Cooperation, ICT, BBIN, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal |
 June 2016The Asian Development Bank has approved a $500-million loan to build a bridge across the Ganges River that will link India and Nepal. The 9.8-kilometer bridge will be India’s longest river bridge and will help people move between jobs and markets. It is projected to benefit 9 million people, especially those in poorer communities. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Transport |
 June 2016India is set to begin work on the Bihar New Ganga Bridge Project, which is expected to become the longest river bridge in India at 9.8 kilometers (km). The road bridge spanning the Ganges River will improve transport connectivity between north and south Bihar, India, and enhance the existing road corridors between India and Nepal. ADB is providing $500 million for the project and $900,000 in technical assistance to improve bridge operation and management. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Transport, Road, Bridge |
 June 2016Greatly increased energy consumption is powering economic transformation in Asia and the Pacific, but also contributing to higher greenhouse gas emissions. The devastating effects of climate change are already being felt in the region. In this speech delivered at the Pacific Energy Summit on 24 June 2016 in Singapore, Bambang Susantono, Vice-President for Knowledge Management and Sustainable Development, Asian Development Bank, looks at the challenges faced by Asia’s growing economies a Read More Tags: ADB, Energy, Hydropower, Climate Change, Bhutan, India, Nepal |
 June 2016Cargo bound for Nepal was flagged off symbolically from Visakhapatnam Port in India on 24 June 2016, signaling to traders that the port is ready to facilitate exports and imports as Nepal's second gateway port. A delegation from Nepal is in Visakhapatnam to see through implementation of the agreement and discuss modalities of cargo transit with Customs officials from India. Read More Tags: Nepal, India, Ports, Trade Facilitation, Transport |
 June 2016India Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman, emphasized the need for the Bureau of Indian Standards to internationalize its standards to promote "zero defect" and global standards for made in India products. She called for an end to days of differential standards, and urged the Bureau to increase coordination with concerned ministries to streamline standards for locally made and imported items. Read More Tags: India, Trade Facilitation, Technical Barriers to Trade, SAARC |
 June 2016Launch of the Bangladesh-India transshipment facility concluded with the successful delivery of steel rods from Kolkata, India to Agartala, the capital of Tripura, through Akhaura land port in Bangladesh, onboard Bangladeshi trucks. The facility will allow India to deliver goods to the northeast region in an estimated 10-day time, and help boost trade in the region by enabling Bangladesh to transport goods to Nepal and Bhutan via India, and give India access to Myanmar via Bangladesh. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Trade Facilitation, Transport |
 June 2016India and Thailand have agreed to speed up talks on the India-Thailand Free Trade Agreement and bilateral investment treaty. The two countries also agreed to fast-track infrastructure projects linking each other, such as the Asian Trilateral Highway connecting India and Thailand through Myanmar. Read More Tags: India, Thailand, Myanmar, Free Trade Agreement, Trade |
 June 2016The Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicles Agreement is a landmark framework agreement signed by the transport ministers of the BBIN countries last June 2015 in Thimphu, Bhutan. Mr. Ronald Butiong, Director, Regional Cooperation and Operations Coordination, South Asia Regional Department, Asian Development Bank (ADB), describes how it is paving the way for a more integrated and more prosperous South Asian region in an ADB blog entry. Read More Tags: BBIN, Trade Facilitation, Transport, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal |
 June 2016Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka have expressed interest in adopting best practices of the Indian Trade Portal in setting up their own trade portals to promote international trade. Trade portals to be set up by Bhutan and Nepal will also be useful for cargo being routed through India, and will contribute to the common documentation system needed to implement the World Trade Organization's Trade Facilitation Agreement. Read More Tags: Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Trade Portal, Trade Facilitation, SASEC, Customs, Trade |
June 2016 Nepal's private sector stakeholders are seeking a dedicated railway line from Nepal to Indian sea ports, including the Visakhapatnam Port, to reduce the cost of trade in the country. Mr. Rajan Sharma, Transport and Transit Committee Chair of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, noted that direct access to India's Visakhapatnam Port could bring transformational changes to Nepal's economy. Read More Tags: Nepal, India, Trade Facilitation, Transport |
 June 2016The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Development Fund (SDF) and SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry have pledged to collaborate and co-finance projects under the SDF's social, economic and infrastructure windows to promote regional connectivity across the SAARC region. Read More Tags: SAARC CCI, SAARC, Regional Cooperation, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Trade, Transport |
 June 2016Indian entrepreneurs have invested INR 3,084.43 crore ($458.14 million) in Bangladesh, a move that has created 63,277 jobs, says Mr. Amir Hossain Amu, Ministry of Industries, Bangladesh. He also said Bangladesh is looking forward to being India’s partner in tech industries. Read More Tags: SAFTA, India, Bangladesh, Trade |
 June 2016India is working on a proposal to ease facilitation issues on trade in services including visa regimes among members of the World Trade Orgagnization (WTO). WTO Director General Roberto Azevedo welcomed India’s proposal for a trade facilitation agreement in services, and requested submission of a proposal to initiate discussions. Read More Tags: India, WTO, Trade Facilitation |
 June 2016The 15-kilometer broad gauge rail service from Agartala, India to Akhaura, Bangladesh is set to be inaugurated in June 2016. Funded by the Government of India, the railway project will reduce the 1,650-km distance between Agartala and Kolkata to 550 km and is foreseen to boost bilateral trade and business between the two neighboring countries. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Rail, Bilateral Trade, Transport |
 May 2016Nepal has forwarded a proposal to set up an India-Nepal energy bank that would help both countries address the problem of power shortage at a meeting of the India-Nepal Joint Standing Committee. The energy bank would enable Nepal to export electricity to India during summer and import electricity from India during winter. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Energy, Hydropower |
 May 2016A 1,400 kilometer highway will soon connect South and Southeast Asia by linking India with Myanmar and Thailand. Mr. Bhagwant Singh Bishnoi, Indian Ambassador to Thailand, noted that the tri-nation highway exemplifies India's "Act East" policy, and will facilitate transit of goods and further development of SMEs in north India. The three countries are currently working to finalize negotiations for the groundbreaking India-Myanmar-Thailand Motor Vehicle Agreement. Read More Tags: India, Myanmar, Thailand, Trade Facilitation, Infrastructure, Small and Medium Enterprises |
 May 2016The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Development Fund (SAARC SDF) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed a memorandum of understanding to undertake development projects in the South Asian region. Read More Tags: ADB, Transport, SAARC, ICT, Trade, Bhutan, India, Nepal |
 May 2016The India-Myanmar Business Conclave met recently as part of a push for stronger economic ties between the two countries. At a conference on 18-20 May in Yangon, Myanmar, business leaders discussed partnerships as well as opportunities for future cooperation. Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of State for Commerce & Industry of India, spoke on forging partnerships, highlighting India’s opening of 96.4% of tariff lines at zero duty for Myanmar. Read More Tags: Myanmar, India, Trade, Energy, ICT |
 May 2016Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali paid a courtesy call on the King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. The King lauded Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's initiatives to boost Bangladesh-Bhutan bilateral relations, and emphasized the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) cooperation as a platform to achieve regional prosperity. Read More Tags: Bhutan, Bangladesh, BBIN, India, Nepal, Transport, Regional Cooperation |
 May 2016India is planning to develop regional connectivity projects worth around $5 billion under the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-supported SASEC Program, according to Mr. Shaktikanta Das, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, India. These initiatives include two priority road corridors that will boost connectivity with its neighbors in South and Southeast Asia and complementary integrated check posts and land Customs stations. India and ADB will also work together to develop the East Coast Econom Read More Tags: India, Economic corridor, Energy, Transport, Trade Facilitation |
 May 2016 |
 May 2016A Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) economic zone may be declared in an upcoming BBIN seminar and business expo to be held in Siliguri, India, according to Mr. Abdul Matlub Ahmad, President, Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI). Mr. Ahmad was in Thimphu, Bhutan to discuss the upcoming BBIN seminar, as well as opportunities for trade and investment between Bangladesh and Bhutan. Read More Tags: Economic zone, BBIN, Trade, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal |
 April 2016A World Customs Organization (WCO) Subregional Workshop on Transit Corridors in South Asia considered improvement of regional transit regimes in the region. Progress of the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicle Agreement, as well as national experiences of Japan, Switzerland and Malawi in implementing efficient transit regimes, was discussed. Read More Tags: Trade Facilitation, Transport, BBIN, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal |
 April 2016The Economic Cooperation Dialogue on Regional Connectivity and Border Special Development Zones in Eastern South Asia highlighted the importance of transport corridors to promote trade and economic cooperation in the region. Dr. Nagesh Kumar, Head, UNESCAP Subregional Office for South and South-West Asia, shared how developing transport corridors can turn constraints faced by the region's landlocked countries into opportunities. Read More Tags: Trade, Transport, South Asia, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal |
 April 2016A railway agreement in the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal (BBIN) subregion is being proposed, in line with expansion of railway links boosting connectivity between India's Northeast and its BBIN neighbors. According to Mr. Mukul Kumar, Director (Transport), Railway Board, Ministry of Railways, Government of India, this initiative will facilitate cross-border transport of goods and people, and enable efficient multimodal transport system to integrate and sustain the region's economic growth. Read More Tags: BBIN, Rail, Transport, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal |
 April 2016A strong business agenda in services trade could improve opportunities in South Asia, increasing the level of prosperity and economic development in the region, emphasized India Commerce Secretary Rita Teaotia as she called for South Asian countries to work together to push services exports. Read More Tags: India, Services, Trade |
 April 2016The Intergovernmental Agreement on Dry Ports, developed with support of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, entered into force on 23 April 2016, after 8 of the 17 signatory countries, including Bangladesh and India, deposited approvals of Agreement. The Agreement aims to promote international recognition of dry ports, facilitating investment in dry port infrastructure and enhancing their operational efficiency. Read More Tags: Ports, Trade Facilitation, Trade, LLDC, Bangladesh, India |
 April 2016The Government of India has ratified the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement, submitting its instrument of acceptance on 22 April 2016. Ms. Anjali Prasad, Ambassador to WTO, India handed over the instrument to WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo. India is the 76th WTO member to accept the Agreement. Read More Tags: India, Trade Facilitation, WTO |
 April 2016Bangladesh plans to import 2,000 megawatts of electricity from India in the coming years, according to Bangladesh State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid in his address at the 'Power Market Development in India: Key Lessons Learnt' workshop. He highlighted the country's ongoing regional power trade with India and plans for its expansion, and urged the Government of India to step forward in the planned hydropower project with Bhutan. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Energy |
 April 2016India Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasized the importance of India's service sector to the successful implementation of the World Trade Organization Trade Facilitation Agreement (WTO TFA). According to the Commerce and Industry Minister, India's service sector will sustain the country's vision of port and logistics improvement. Read More Tags: India, Services, Trade Facilitation, Trade Facilitation |
 April 2016The Governments of Bhutan and India are set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on technical cooperation in the field of capacity building, benchmarking and bilateral exchange in infrastructure engineering, following approval of the Government of India in a meeting chaired by India Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The MoU will provide an umbrella for educational, scientific and technical research and environment protection. Read More Tags: India, Bhutan, Infrastructure, Cooperation, Environment |
 April 2016Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called on neighboring countries to cooperate in the Bangladesh Government's efforts to become a developed nation. In a meeting with India's Minister of State on Independent Charge for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan, Prime Minister Hasina emphasized Bangladesh's focus on promoting connectivity. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Regional Cooperation, Special Economic Zone, BBIN |
 April 2016India's Minister for Road Transport and Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari announced the Government's updated target to complete the Sagar Mala program in 5 years at the Maritime India Summit. The project will help reduce logistics costs, boost merchandise exports by $110 million, and create 10 million new jobs. Read More Tags: India, Ports, Transport, Trade, Trade Facilitation |
 April 2016Mr. Pradeep Kumar Pujari, Secretary, Ministry of Power, India, ensured continuous demand for hydropower in the Indian grid, during his visit to Bhutan to review ongoing joint hydropower ventures. The Government of India plans to triple its power generation capacity to 800 gigawatts by 2030, using renewable energy sources. Read More Tags: Hydropower, Energy, Bhutan, India |
 April 2016Bangladesh Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed and Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh discussed increasing volumes of imports from Bangladesh to the Indian state of Manipur during a visit by the Bangladesh Commerce Minister. Chief Minister Singh affirmed the huge demand for Bangladeshi products, and recommended enhanced private sector cooperation between the two countries. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Trade |
 April 2016Dr. Selim Reihan notes that drivers of political economy can impact the region's integration agenda. In this essay, Dr. Raihan highlights the importance of exploring the political economy of regional integration to generate a better assessment of the factors driving and constraining regional integration, and create broader awareness among stakeholders to stimulate a more realistic and effective regional policy design and processes. Read More Tags: Economic corridor, Bhutan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka, SAARC, SAFTA, Services, South Asia, Infrastructure, Trade Facilitation, Transport |
 April 2016Dr. Pritam Banerjee, Senior Director, Corporate Public Policy (South Asia), Deutsche Post DHL, reported that the first trial run of cargo vehicles on the Kolkata-Dhaka-Agartala route under the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) sub-regional framework, enabled a better understanding of future needs and solutions for safe and efficient movement of cargo across BBIN borders. Read More Tags: Private Sector, BBIN, Trade Facilitation, Transport, India, Bangladesh |
 April 2016A Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) dialogue on promoting trade in the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) subregion has discussed intraregional trade in South Asia, which remains under 5% despite implementation of the South Asia Free Trade Agreement. According to MCCI, non-tariff measures manifested as non-tariff barriers and para-tariff barriers lead to high transaction costs in cross-border trade, keeping trade volume low. Read More Tags: Trade, BBIN, SAFTA, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal |
 March 2016India's Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) is implementing an 'Integrated Declaration,' under its Single Window Project to facilitate more efficient processing of Customs clearance for imports and exports, and promote ease of doing business in the country. The electronic Integrated Declaration offers a single point where import traders can lodge information required by Customs and the Partner Government Agencies, replacing 9 separate forms previously required. Read More Tags: India, Trade Facilitation, ICT, WCO |
 March 2016Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and India Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the inauguration of an additional 100 megawatt electricity supply from India's Tripura state to Bangladesh's Comilla state, and the leasing of 10 GBPS of internet bandwidth from Bangladesh to India's Agartala state on 23 March 2016. Both Prime Ministers lauded Bangladesh-India cooperation. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, ICT, Energy, BBIN |
 March 2016A delegation from Bhutan's Royal Institute for Governance and Strategic Studies participated in an interactive session with representatives from the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship and Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce. The Meeting discussed possible cooperation between Bhutan and India's North East in sectors including trade, commerce, hydropower, and tourism. Read More Tags: Trade, Hydropower, Bhutan, India |
 March 2016India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj called for further consolidation of the South Asian Free Trade Area and the South Asian Trade in Services Agreement to achieve the goal of a South Asian Economic Union, in her address at the 37th SAARC Council of Ministers' Meeting. She said SAARC member countries must work together to harness their economic complementarities and create an environment conducive to rapid growth. Read More Tags: SAARC, SAFTA, SAEU, South Asian Economic Union, India, Trade Facilitation |
 March 2016India Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar discussed initiatives being pursued by India in line with its 'neighborhood first' policy, in his address at the 42nd Standing Committee Meeting of SAARC. He also emphasized the need to implement the South Asia Economic Union, and sign the SAARC Motor Vehicles Agreement and SAARC Railways Agreement. Read More Tags: India, South Asian Economic Union, SAARC, Transport, Energy |
 March 2016Direct cargo shipments between Bangladesh-India were launched on 15 March 2016, with the first vessel sailing from Chittagong Port, Bangladesh to Krishnapatnam Port, India on 17 March 2016, carrying cotton and textiles. The service reduces transport time significantly—from 25 to 4 days to carry goods from Bangladesh to India, with goods no longer having to pass through Colombo, Sri Lanka, or Singapore. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Trade, Ports, Trade Facilitation |
 March 2016The Government of India is set to appoint its Cabinet Secretary as Head of the National Committee on Trade Facilitation, which will facilitate both domestic coordination and implementation of the provisions of the World Trade Organization Trade Facilitation Agreement. The terms of reference for the national committee will be drafted once suggestions from industry associations and border states have been received. Read More Tags: India, Trade Facilitation, WTO |
 March 2016The Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI) commemorated its 4th Foundation Day, headed by Mr. Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for Home Affairs who launched the LPAI logo and website. In his address, Mr. Rijiju reaffirmed the Government's commitment to enhance land borders that will increase trade with neighboring countries. He remarked on the need to explore new trade routes, particularly in the North East region. Read More Tags: ICT, Trade Facilitation, India |
 March 2016A Meeting of high-level officials from the Government of India's Ministry of Finance, Central Board of Excise and Customs, Railway Board, Shipping and Airport Authority has discussed ways to expedite the country's clearance process for exports and imports, deciding to conduct a joint exercise to identify and address delays at every stage. Read More Tags: India, Exports, Imports, Trade Facilitation |
 March 2016Construction of a new road from Imphal City to Tamenglong via Kangchup was officially inaugurated by Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh. The 103-kilometer road improvement is part of a larger program to improve a key strategic thoroughfare on the Asian Highway, integrating South and Southeast Asia, bordering Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Nepal. It is funded by an Asian Development Bank loan, approved in March 2014. Read More Tags: India, Asian Highway, Transport, Economic Corridor Development |
February 2016 India has taken a step forward to improve its ease of doing business for local subsidiaries of multinational companies by approving simplified rules governing import pricing. The amended Customs rules removed the mandatory deposit of extra duty on imported goods by related parties, including Indian arms of import-dependent multinationals. Read More Tags: India, Customs, Trade Facilitation |
 February 2016India Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli—on his first state visit since assuming office in October 2015—held comprehensive talks in New Delhi, and witnessed the signing of several agreements, including letters of exchange on transit and rail. These agreements will help promote Nepal's trade with third countries by making transport more efficient and less costly. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Trade Facilitation, Transit Facilitation |
 February 2016Regional economic connectivity initiatives, including the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal Motor Vehicle Agreement, can change the business landscape of Bangladesh, said Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Md. Shahidul Haque at a meeting of the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The BBIN MVA will transform 30 transport corridors into economic corridors, and is set to give subregional businesses a boost. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Bhutan, Nepal, Transport |
 February 2016An immigration facility in the Banglabandha-Phulbari Land Port between Bangladesh and India—jointly inaugurated on 18 February 2016—is expected to ease people-to-people connectivity between the two countries. Strategically located on the Asian Highway, this border-crossing point is expected to boost trade and commerce not only between Bangladesh and India, but also with Bhutan and Nepal. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Trade Facilitation |
 February 2016The Proposal for Notification of Commitments under the Trade Facilitation Agreement of the World Trade Organization (WTO), ratification and acceptance of the Instrument of Acceptance of Protocol of TFA to the WTO Secretariat and constitution of the National Committee on Trade Facilitation received approval from the Indian Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Read More Tags: India, Trade Facilitation Agreement, WTO |
 February 2016India's Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted the significance of the Cabinet's decision to ratify the World Trade Organization Trade Facilitation Agreement (WTO TFA), and affirmed the Government's initiatives to improve systems within India for trade facilitation. She also discussed necessary provisions that India should adopt to comply with the Agreement. Read More Tags: India, Trade Facilitation, WTO |
 February 2016The SAARC-ADB First Training Programme of Nodal Points on Updating SAARCSTAT Web Portal was organised by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). The Training focused on updating national data available on the SAARCSTAT Web Portal to enhance usability, and equipped representatives from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka with knowledge and capacity to upload and update their information on the website. Read More Tags: SAARC, Trade, Economic cooperation, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka |
 February 2016Sri Lanka aims to become an energy self-sufficient nation, drawing on renewable energy sources locally by 2030. The Government's vision for Sri Lanka's energy sector also includes generating additional 1,000 megawatts of renewable energy for consumption by 2035, and excess energy for export to neighbors, including India, by 2050. Read More Tags: Sri Lanka, Renewable Energy, India |
 February 2016The 9th Session of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Commission discussed strengthening India-Sri Lanka cooperation in areas including energy and trade. The two countries are also preparing to open negotiations on the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement. Further possible collaboration in railway development and renewable energy was also bookmarked by the Joint Commission. Read More Tags: India, Sri Lanka, Energy, Trade Facilitation |
 January 2016India's Central Board Of Excise and Customs celebrated International Customs Day 2016. In observance of the theme, 'Digital Customs: Progressive Engagement', a presentation on digitization in Indian Customs was delivered, and 3 digital initiatives were launched. Mr. R. Chandra Shekhar, President, National Association of Software and Services Companies, highlighted the strides made by the department in digitization of Customs processes. Read More Tags: India, Customs, Trade Facilitation |
 January 2016A 2-day meeting of the Joint Working Committee and Joint Steering Committee on India-Nepal Cooperation in the Power Sector discussed the implementation of the power trade agreement (PTA) signed in September 2014. The Meeting agreed that India will supply Nepal with 300 megawatt of electricity in the next 18 months, and reviewed plans for long-term energy trade, including the proposed 6 cross-border power corridors. Read More Tags: Energy, India, Nepal |
 January 2016The third meeting of the Joint Working Group on Subregional Cooperation between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) on Connectivity and Transit and Water Resources Management and Power/Hydropower deliberated new initiatives for deepening cooperation. Discussion centered around progress made under the BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement and the proposed BBIN Rail Agreement. Read More Tags: BBIN, Trade Facilitation, Energy, Transport, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal |
 January 2016Indian Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha led a two-day visit to the northeastern state of Tripura to inaugurate its trial broad gauge passenger train, and review progress of ongoing railway projects, including the Agartala-Akhaura railway project, which connects the rail networks of Bangladesh and India, and Agartala-Sabroom, a future connecting point for Chittagong port in Bangladesh. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Rail, Transport |
 January 2016Construction was completed in December 2015 of the 47-kilometer transmission line from India's western Tripura to Bangladesh's southern Comilla and is ready to start supplying 100 megawatt of power from India to Bangladesh. In January 2016, a meeting between Bangladesh and India fixed the tariff for the electricity supply and formal approval will start the flow of power. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Energy |
 January 2016 |
 January 2016A friendship bus service between India and Nepal was re-launched on 4 January 2016, after a gap of 27 years. No special documents are necessary to travel in these buses. Locals with family and trade ties in both countries, who regularly travel this route on a daily basis met the news with much enthusiasm. Read More Tags: Transport, India, Nepal |
 December 2015A total of 69 bridges will be built by the Government of India along a major road link of the India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) Trilateral Highway in Myanmar. These bridges will be part of the route for a proposed bus service linking Imphal, capital of the Indian state of Manipur, with Mandalay City in Myanmar. The project is estimated to cost around $56 million, and is due for completion in mid-2019. Read More Tags: India, Myanmar, Thailand, Trade Facilitation, Transport |
 December 2015The Government of India has released the first tranche of funding worth around $299,000 to construct a new waterway link between its northeast region and Bangladesh. With total allocation of $1.87 million, the project will link the Gomati and Howrah rivers in Tripura with the Meghna river in Bangladesh, to boost bilateral trade and the movement of people. Read More Tags: India, Bangladesh, Transport |
 December 2015The 4th India-Sri Lanka Commerce Secretary meeting agreed to include the signing of a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) on Standards in the agenda of an upcoming meeting in February 2016. This MRA aims to boost Sri Lankan exports to India by automatically allowing products certified by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution to enter India. A study by Verite Research found that non-recognition of Sri Lanka's standards certificates in India affects growth of Sri Lankan exports in India. Read More Tags: India, Sri Lanka, Trade |
 December 2015Asian Development Bank (ADB) Chief Economist and Director General of Economic Research Dr. Shang-Jin Wei and a team of senior officials visited Sri City in India's Andhra Pradesh on 17 December 2015 as part of a study on the Vizag-Chennai Industrial Corridor (VCIC). A Special Economic Zone for export-oriented industries will be established in Sri City's Industrial Zone, to support India's manufacturing growth campaign, the 'Make in India' initiative. Read More Tags: Special Economic Zone, Vizag-Chennai Industrial Corridor, manufacturing, India, ADB |
 December 2015On 8 December 1985, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Charter was signed by Heads of State/Government of SAARC Member States during the First SAARC Summit held in Dhaka, Bangladesh. SAARC promotes welfare economics, collective self-reliance among the countries of South Asia, and accelerated socio-cultural development in the South Asia region. Read More Tags: SAARC, Regional Cooperation, South Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka |
 December 2015South Asia is set to play a strategic role in Asian integration. This commentary by Mr. Ganeshan Wignaraja, Advisor in the Asian Development Bank’s Economic Research and Regional Cooperation Department, shares how linking emerging South Asia with the more developed member countries of the Association of South East Asian Nations will transform regional economies through development of regional connectivity, and create a huge regional market of 2-3 billion people. Read More Tags: South Asia, Economic corridor, Development, ASEAN, Southeast Asia, East Asia, Trade Facilitation, Transport, Tourism, manufacturing, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal |
 December 2015Upgrading 2,000-kilometers of India's Diamond Harbor Road (National Highway-117 and NH-35), linking Barasat and Petrapole through an expressway, and constructing a bridge across the Muri Ganga River to connect Sagar Island with the mainland would facilitate better port connectivity and promote greater regional cooperation in India. An ADB loan is anticipated to support this project. Read More Tags: India, Ports, Trade Facilitation |
 November 2015The exchange of export-related data between designated adjacent border crossing points in the SASEC subregion commenced on 30 November 2015. This SASEC Customs Subgroup Subregional Project promotes the exchange of documents at five major border-crossing points between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal, to promote future electronic exchange of data and build a better risk profile of traders. Read More Tags: Trade Facilitation, Customs, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal |
 November 2015The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry organized the Second North East Regional Connectivity Summit to review progress made since its first Summit held in 2014, and discuss a way forward for the region's development, to maximize its proximity to South and Southeast Asia. The Summit also launched the knowledge paper 'Emerging North-East India: Economically and Socially Inclusive Development Strategies.' Read More Tags: India, Transport, Southeast Asia |
 November 2015Bangladesh and India signed the Standard Operating Procedure to operationalize the 'Agreement on Coastal Shipping' formalized in June 2015. This Agreement will provide huge savings in logistics costs for cargo transport between the two countries, improving bilateral trade. The two parties have also agreed to sign an agreement on passenger and cruise vessels. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Trade Facilitation, Transport |
 November 2015A Meeting for the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal Motor Vehicle Agreement (BBIN MVA)on 3-4 December 2015 will finalize the transit fees for goods and passenger vehicles, and discuss other issues, said Bangladesh Road Transport Minister Obaidul Quader. Transport of passengers and goods under the BBIN MVA will formally start in January 2016, with initial restrictions in place. Read More Tags: BBIN, Transport, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal |
 November 2015Several initiatives to improve Bangladesh's connectivity with India's North East region are in the pipeline, to increase people-to-people contact and cross-border business. These include revamping trade infrastructures to connect border points, and expanding Bangladesh's diplomatic and consular presence in India's North East region. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Trade, Transport, Energy |
 November 2015Trial runs to test the effectiveness of the India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) Motor Vehicle Agreement and identify implementation-related issues will begin by December 2015, according to India's Union Road Transport and Highway Secretary Vijay Chibber. Protocols for the IMT MVA are currently being finalized, to be signed by early April 2016. Read More Tags: India, Myanmar, Thailand, Trade Facilitation, Transport |
 November 2015The Government of India flagged off the first cargo truck under the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal Motor Vehicles Agreement (BBIN MVA) on 1 November 2015 for a trial run from Kolkata, West Bengal to Agartala, Tripura, passing through Dhaka, Bangladesh. The cargo vehicle traveled a distance of only around 640 kilometers, compared to its longertraditional route of 1,550 km. Read More Tags: BBIN, Transport, India |
 October 2015Officials from India assured Nepal Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kamal Thapa of increased supplies of essential goods from India. Minister Thapa went on a 3-day visit to New Delhi, where he met with India Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, and Home Minister Rajnath Singh. Read More Tags: Nepal, India, Trade Facilitation |
 October 2015A meeting between Bhutan Tourism Board officials and India's State Tourism Secretary Ajit Ranjan Bardhan discussed ways to improve links between Bhutan and India, including introducing an online entry permit system for Indian visitors and easing immigration checks. Bhutan agreed to consider providing online permits by 2016, said Secretary Bardhan. Read More Tags: ICT, India, Bhutan, Tourism |
 October 2015The 11th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) of Customs Directors General and Commissioners met on 8-9 October 2015 in Goa, India and agreed on the Goa Declaration - a 2016-2017 action plan of 10 specific measures in the Customs field, including trade facilitation, Authorized Economic Operators, and Paperless Customs for participating administrations. The Goa Meeting saw the participation of 41 countries from Asia and Europe Read More Tags: Asia-Europe, Trade Facilitation, India |
 October 2015A Meeting between India's Minister for External Affairs and Governors of the North East region covered key aspects of the 'Act East Policy', including transport connectivity, border trade, and regional production and value chains. The Meeting stressed the need for better connectivity of the North East to a wider region, including Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Thailand, and discussed ongoing and planned cross-border connectivity projects. Read More Tags: India, Act East Policy, Transport, Trade Facilitation, Bangladesh |
 October 2015West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay renewed their commitment to pursue the Golden Jubilee Railway line from Hasimara, India to Bhutan during the Chief Minister's call to Prime Minister Tobgay on 5 October 2015. Both sides agreed to review the railway project, and examine ways to resolve land-related issues. Read More Tags: Bhutan, India, Transport, Rail |
 October 2015West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee encouraged private sector delegates to explore a business corridor concept for tourism, small industries and joint venture projects at an India-Bhutan Business Conclave, held in Bhutan. Making West Bengal a gateway to the North East will open up further business opportunities for Bhutan. Read More Tags: Bhutan, India, Trade Facilitation, Transport |
 October 2015The Second SASEC Bangladesh-India Electrical Grid Interconnection Project will help boost the import of electricity from India to Bangladesh by doubling the capacity of the existing interconnection system. The project is expected to be completed by June 2018. The Asian Development Bank is providing $120 million loan financing; the Government of Bangladesh is allocating $63 million. Read More Tags: Energy, Bangladesh, India |
 September 2015Indian Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman encouraged economies in the region to speedily work toward a free trade area with a defined timeline, preferably 2020, to achieve the joint vision of a South Asian Economic Union. Speaking at the South Asia Economic Conclave, she further highlighted that India is committed to total trade liberalization, and is working to ensure that its South Asian neighbors will be able to export to India on zero tariff. Read More Tags: India, Trade, SAEU |
 September 2015The Power Grid Corporation of India began power transmission along its first "Power Transmission Express Highway". With a 6,000-megawatt capacity, this power corridor connects the northern states with the North Eastern Region, and will help both manage the supply of large-scale hydropower and connect power transactions done with Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Nepal. Read More Tags: Energy, India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal |
 September 2015Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay promotedpartnerships as a way to help landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) become land-linked to global opportunities, saying it is possible to ensure a country is not landlocked economically with its neighbors' full trust and confidence. The Prime Minister was attending a high-level forum for landlocked developing countries on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Read More Tags: Bhutan, LLDC, Nepal, Energy, India, Trade Facilitation |
 September 2015Sri Lanka Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has extended an invitation for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Sri Lanka in May or June 2016 to sign an agreement on economic and technological cooperation. The two Prime Ministers held discussions on enhancing economic ties between India and Sri Lanka and resuming ferry services during Prime Minister Wickremesinghe's visit to New Delhi, India on 14-16 September 2015. Read More Tags: Sri Lanka, India, Trade, Transport |
 September 2015India's membership to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation is looking bright in 2015-2016. Joining this inter-regional cooperation would ensure India’s access to the global supply chain, not only boosting India’s economy but also easing its entry into new markets in the Pacific. Read More Tags: Asia-Pacific, Economic cooperation, India |
 September 2015The Fourth Annual India-Bhutan Development Cooperation Talks discussed bilateral development assistance to Bhutan on 2 September 2015 in New Delhi, India, with India pledging about $677.28 million of project assistance to Bhutan. Both sides noted with satisfaction the progress of Small Development Projects and overall project implementation. Read More Tags: Bhutan, India, Economic cooperation |
August 2015 The Myawaddy-Thin Gan Nyi Naung-Kawkareik section of the Asian Highway linking India, Myanmar, and Thailand (IMT) has become operational, reducing travel time between Thin Gan Nyi Naung and Kawkareik from 3 hours to 45 minutes. This section was constructed beginning 2012 with the assistance of Thailand, and is part of the Greater Mekong Subregion Program. Read More Tags: India, Transport, Myanmar, Thailand |
 August 2015A meeting of the commerce ministries of Bangladesh and India to renew the Memorandum of Understanding for Bangladesh-India border markets agreed to double the purchase limit for buyers. This decision comes as the two countries prepare to set up more markets to boost bilateral ties and trade. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Trade |
 August 2015Read a commentary on the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA) as positive development for the BBIN subregional grouping. The BBIN MVA is a landmark framework agreement that aims to facilitate seamless flow of passenger, personal and cargo vehicular traffic between and among the BBIN countries. Read More Tags: BBIN, Transport, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal |
 August 2015Bangladesh is seen as the new investment destination for Indian investors, particularly with the series of bilateral agreements signed between the two countries in June 2015. Trading and exporting appears lucrative for Indian businessmen due to Bangladesh’s weak manufacturing base, tariff-free access to developed markets, geographical proximity, and resilient economy. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, FDI |
 August 2015The Bangladesh Government is set to approve in principle the establishment of a special economic zone for Indian investors in Mongla and Bheramara under India’s $2 billion line of credit (LOC). A Development Project Proposal is under consideration by the Executive Committee of National Economic Council. The Indian LOC would contribute $2 billion toward the total cost estimate of $2.37 billion for the 13 projects under the Memorandum of Understanding. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Special Economic Zone |
 August 2015The India-Nepal Cross Border Transport Facilitation Joint Working Group under the bilateral Motor Vehicle Agreement discussed measures to facilitate movement of passenger vehicles across the India-Nepal border. Key recommendations include a web-based solution to issue, monitor, and verify permits, and four new bus routes between India and Nepal. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Transport |
 July 2015The Indian Government sanctioned about $155.8 million to lay a 15.06-kilometer (km) section of railtracks, connecting Indian Railways with Bangladesh through the North East. This India-funded Agartala-Akhaura railway junction in Bangladesh would reduce the distance from Agartala to Kolkata from 1,650 km to 515 km, avoid mountainous terrain, improve trade and commerce, and enhance connectivity. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Rail |
 July 2015Construction to improve Pasakha Access Road in Phuentsholing, Bhutan will start in September, said officials from Bhutan's Department of Roads, Ministry of Works and Human Settlement. This road section—a key output of the SASEC Road Connectivity Project in Bhutan—will access a bypass road from Bibarey near Manglabarey, providing trucks and other vehicles an alternate route to industrial sites in Pasakha. Once constructed, it is expected to decongest traffic in Bhutan's Phuentsholing and India Read More Tags: Bhutan, India, Trade Facilitation, Transport |
 July 2015The full $200 million grant pledged by India to Bangladesh for construction of Padma Bridge under a $1 billion loan agreement has been disbursed. A recent meeting between India and Bangladesh also discussed implementation of a $2 billion loan agreement signed during India Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit in June 2015. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Transport |
 July 2015The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has set three conditions for the $120 million loan that will finance expansion of the Bangladesh-India Electrical Grid Interconnection Project: public notification of tariff regulations, issuing bids for power purchase from India, and written confirmation from the power grid corporation of India for transmission of an additional 500 megawatt of electricity to Bangladesh. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Energy, India |
 July 2015India’s Communications and Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad laid the foundation stone on 13 July 2015 to link Agartala, India in the Tripura border area with International Gateway Service at Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. This will strengthen telecommunications services and improve Internet connectivity in the landlocked North Eastern states of India. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, ICT, India |
 July 2015Prime Minister Narendra Modi outlined a 10-point program for future cooperation, ‘Das Kadam’, proposed during his address at the BRICS – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – plenary at the 7th summit in Ufa, Russia. The program included a trade fair, railway research center, and digital initiative, among others. The Economic Cooperation Strategy was also adopted by the world’s five growing economies at the Summit. Read More Tags: BRICS, India, Regional Cooperation |
 July 2015The certificate of incorporation for the 660 megawatt Kholongchu Hydropower Project (KHP) was formally handed over to Bhutan's Druk Green Power Corporation and India's Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam. Officials of KHP expect construction of about 40 kilometers of road leading to the project site to soon commence. KHP is the first joint venture between Bhutan and India. Read More Tags: Bhutan, India, Hydropower, Energy |
 July 2015Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is considering a proposal to establish a rail bridge linking Rameswaram, a coastal pilgrim center in Tamil Nadu and Thalaimannar, Sri Lanka. The two countries would be linked if the project materializes. Read More Tags: India, Sri Lanka, Transport |
 July 2015Bangladesh’s 7th five-year plan focuses on bilateral free trade area with India and preferential trade area agreements with China to facilitate exports to these countries. India and China are important trading partners for Bangladesh due to their vast economies. The 7th five-year plan also prioritizes market diversification by exploring emerging potential markets to lessen dependence on European Union and the United States. Read More Tags: China, India, FTA |
 June 2015Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal formed a subregional grouping under the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) Framework, and signed a Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA) allowing seamless transit across each other's territories at the Meeting of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal Transport Ministers on Regional Road Transport Connectivity. Several commentaries from across the region have been published on the BBIN MVA, and are shared below. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, BBIN, Transport |
 June 2015The construction of a sea-bridge and an underwater tunnel linking the 23 kilometer stretch between Talaimannar, Sri Lanka and Dhanushkodi, India is under discussion, according to India’s Transport Minister, Nitin Gadkari. The sea bridge would help expand the trans-South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation road and transport network. Read More Tags: India, Sri Lanka, Transport |
 June 2015The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is set to further enhance transport connectivity within Bangladesh, and between Bangladesh and India, through the SASEC Railway Connectivity: Akhaura-Laksam Double Track Project. This $505 million ADB project will upgrade critical sections of Bangladesh Railway's Dhaka-Chittagong corridor and boost its market share in freight services. Read More Tags: Transport, Bangladesh, Rail, India |
 June 2015Several agreements were signed during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Dhaka, Bangladesh on 6-7 June 2015. The agreements included a $2 billion line of credit, as well as others in the areas of trade, connectivity, and cooperation in power supply. The two-day visit further strengthened bilateral relations between the two neighboring countries. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Bilateral Trade |
 June 2015Mr. Srini Raju, Chairman and Founder of Sri City, an Indian integrated business city, shared Sri City's development philosophy of Work-Live-Learn-Play at a seminar organized by the Asian Development Bank's South Asia Department and the Urban Sector Group on 5 June 2015. Sri City pursues industrial growth by creating world-class infrastructure and a conducive business climate while supporting sustainable communities. Read More Tags: India, Economic corridor, Vizag-Chennai Industrial Corridor |
 May 2015The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the Agreement on Coastal Shipping between India and Bangladesh to carry out coastal movement of goods between the two countries. Bangladesh is currently India’s largest trade partner in South Asia and the coastal route is expected to provide an alternative route for transportation of import-export cargo between the two countries. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Transport |
 May 2015The State Government of Andhra Pradesh and the Asian Development Bank reviewed the inception report for the Regional Perspective Plan of the Vizag-Chennai Industrial Corridor (VCIC), India’s first coastal corridor on 29 May in Hyderabad, India. Industrial analysis, infrastructure development and business regulatory reform proposals were presented. Read More Tags: India, Transport, Trade, manufacturing |
 May 2015The India-Bhutan Bilateral Trade and Transit Meeting was held in Thimphu, Bhutan from 25-27 May 2015 to create a trade value chain between India and Bhutan and remove bottlenecks impeding trade flows. Such trade and transit talks are held regularly between the two countries and strengthen bilateral trade cooperation. The meeting resolved some pending issues from the January 2014 meeting. Read More Tags: Bhutan, Bilateral Trade, India |
 May 2015A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the presidents of the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry on 13 May 2015, stating that both chambers would assist the enterprises of the other country to invest jointly in their respective countries. Read More Tags: Bhutan, India, Trade |
 May 2015A month after India pledged another Line of Credit to Bangladesh, the Economic Relations Division, Ministry of Finance of the Government of Bangladesh prepared 11 development project proposals on various sectors including transport, education, information technology, and energy. The total cost of the proposed projects is estimated at $2.71 billion. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Economy, India, Transport |
 May 2015At the seminar on ‘Bangladesh-India Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade: Challenges and Opportunities’, held in Dhaka, Bangladesh on 13 May 2015, policy and economic experts urged the two governments to remove navigation problems, reform customs procedures, develop ports, address lack of infrastructure facilities, and resolve policy constraints to tap into the potential of inland water transit. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Transport |
 May 2015More than 170 tons of relief goods was sent by India to Nepal using the rail route from Old Delhi to Raxaul, in response to the earthquake in Nepal. Senior officials of India's National Disaster Management Authority supervised this relief effort. India's West Bengal Government also gave assistance by coordinating needed relief items with the Government of Nepal and the Nepal Army. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Transport, Rail |
 May 2015The Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor (BCIM-EC) – which received formal endorsement through an inter-governmental group meeting in December 2013 – could potentially bring significant benefits to the four countries by deepening economic cooperation and integration. BCIM-EC will increase socio-economic development and trade in South Asia. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Economic corridor |
 April 2015A coastal shipping agreement between Bangladesh and India was ratified on 21 April 2015 in New Delhi. Bangladesh Shipping Secretary Shafiq Alam Mehedi and Indian Shipping Secretary Rajib Kumar ratified the deal to facilitate trade and transportation of goods through water routes between the two countries. Read More Tags: India, Bangladesh, Transport |
 April 2015The Cabinet of Bangladesh approved a 3-year agreement to export 10 gigabytes to India’s northeastern states on lease and commercial basis. State-owned entity Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Ltd (BSCCL) and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) signed the “Agreement Between BSNL and BSCCL for Leasing of International Bandwidth for Internet at Akhaura (Zero Point)”. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, ICT |
 April 2015A Bilateral Committee is to prepare a new draft framework between India and Sri Lanka and bring life back to stalled negotiations related to the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). CEPA aims to deepen the existing FTA between India and Sri Lanka, including in the areas of services and investments. In order to achieve the CEPA objective, it is recommended that representatives from relevant trade chambers – National Chamber of Exporters and Department of Commerce – be included. Read More Tags: India, Sri Lanka, Trade |
 April 2015The Bangladesh Cabinet approved proposed amendments to the India-Bangladesh Trade Agreement allowing the two countries to access each other's rail, road, and sea routes for third-country trade. The agreement is a boon to trade in the subregion, paving the way for Bangladesh to transport products to Bhutan and Nepal, and for India to send goods directly to Myanmar. Read More Tags: Trade, Bangladesh, India |
 April 2015The Government of Bangladesh gave the go signal for two energy projects that will boost the country's capacity to import electricity from India. The two projects, roughly amounting to $204.6 million, will allow the country to import 600 megawatt electricity by boosting the country's transmission capacity and establishing a substation. Regional grid connectivity demonstrates the substantial benefits that come from enhanced regional cooperation. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Energy |
 March 2015ADB and the Government of India signed a $300 million loan agreement on 26 March 2014 to improve road connectivity and increase domestic and regional trade along the North Bengal-Northeastern Region international trade corridor. This loan is the first under a $500 million multitranche South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Road Connectivity Investment Program (SRCIP) approved by ADB in 2014. Read More Tags: India, Transport, Asian Highway |
 March 2015An article published by the South Asia Monitor traces the inclusion of subregional cooperation within the SAARC Charter, and also reviews how SASEC is improving cross-border connectivity among its member countries and strengthening regional economic cooperation. Read More Tags: SAARC, BBIN-GQ, India, Economic cooperation |
 March 2015Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi visited Sri Lanka on 13-14 March 2015, and signed four agreements with recently-elected Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena, including a Customs Cooperation Agreement that aims to balance the trade deficit between the two countries. He is the first Indian prime minister to visit the country in 28 years. Read More Tags: India, Sri Lanka, Trade, Customs |
 March 2015The 126 megawatt (MW) Dagachhu hydropower plant is now fully commissioned, with the successful run of the second 63MW unit test on 15 March 2015. As a joint venture between Druk Green Power Corporation of Bhutan and the Tata Power Company Limited of India, it has a 25-year power purchase agreement to export power from Bhutan to India. The Asian Development Bank, under the SASEC program, funded its construction through the Green Power Development Project. Read More Tags: Bhutan, Energy, India |
 March 2015The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SAARC CCI) plans to form subregional blocs that will address common economic issues of its member countries to increase intra-regional trade. This was proposed under the SAARC CCI Action Plan for 2015, tabled during a joint session of SAARC CCI's 62nd Executive Committee and 20th General Assembly in New Delhi, India on 10 March 2015. Read More Tags: SAARC CCI, Trade, Transport, India |
 March 2015New Delhi has facilitated an integrated power grid for South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) member states to begin cross-border trading on the Indian Energy Exchange (IEX). The IEX, an automated power-trading exchange, plans to trade 120MW with Bhutan, and 50MW each with Bangladesh and Nepal. This four-nation power trading will hasten the implementation of the SAARC Framework Agreement for Energy Cooperation signed in Kathmandu last year. Read More Tags: India, Energy, SAARC |
 March 2015Bangladesh and India moved to establish a second cross-border railway link through Akhaura-Agartala to boost bilateral trade and business. The dual-gauge railway track to be funded by the Government of India will connect with the North-Eastern States of India and become the second effective railway corridor of the two neighboring countries. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Rail |
 March 2015India announced more grant aid to developing countries during the unveiling of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's full year budget for 2015-2016 on 28 February 2015. 84% of the total aid amount has been allocated to India’s fellow members in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). The majority of this grant financing will go toward various development assistance projects already being implemented. Read More Tags: India, Grants, SAARC |
 February 2015Works to improve road connectivity and facilitate trade between Bhutan and India are set to begin soon along the Phuentsholing-Jaigaon border. An Asian Development Bank-financed project under the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) program will construct a bypass road from Jaigaon, India to Pasakha in Bhutan and include a mini-dry port in Phuentsholing. A land customs station will also be constructed in Pasakha to monitor the bypass road. Read More Tags: Bhutan, India, Trade Facilitation, Transport |
 February 2015West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has proposed a joint business council for Bangladesh and India to meet by April 2015 to address existing disputes in bilateral trade and business. The proposal followed discussions with business leaders during a 3-day visit to Sonargaon, Bangladesh. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Bilateral Trade |
 February 2015The Bangladesh Prime Minister’s Office has identified nine priority sectors for development cooperation with India under an umbrella agreement: power and hydropower, energy, commerce, connectivity (rail, road, water and motor vehicle), customs and immigration regulations, water management, and capacity building and capital dredging of Mongla Port. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Development Cooperation |
 February 2015Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala emphasized Nepal's strong engagement in the process of regional cooperation—through membership in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC)—as “a major defining feature” of Nepal's foreign policy in a speech delivered at the 67th anniversary of Nepal Council of World Affairs on 18 February 2015. Read More Tags: Nepal, Regional Cooperation, India |
 February 2015Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena’s recent visit to India after assuming office last month allows both countries to adopt a fresh approach to bilateral ties. New leadership in both New Delhi and Colombo has the potential for economic cooperation in development, commerce, and trade. According to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is proud to be a trade partner of Sri Lanka and plans to take bilateral relations to a new level. Read More Tags: India, Sri Lanka, Bilateral Trade |
 February 2015An agreement that will enable seamless transit of passenger and goods along designated key routes in the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal (BBIN) subregion is in the pipeline. It will reduce costly and time-consuming unloading and loading of people and cargo at border crossing points. The agreement would help transform transport corridors linking BBIN into economic corridors and enhance people-to-people contact. Read More Tags: Transport, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal |
 February 2015India plans to reduce the number of sensitive items subject to import duty under the South Asia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) for Pakistan and Sri Lanka. It has already decreased the number of sensitive list items for least developed countries (LDCs) of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) region. According to A.M. Gondane, Joint Secretary, SAARC, this will have Customs revenue implications for both countries. Read More Tags: India, Sri Lanka, Trade |
 January 2015Intra-regional trade share among South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) countries increased from 2011-2013 as economic exchange within the region strengthened, although overall intra-Asia trade declined. SASEC intra-regional trade also increased in the first seven months of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013, yet its trade with the world decreased. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Trade |
 January 2015The Power Trade Agreement (PTA) and the Power Development Agreements (PDAs) are recent developments that have renewed optimism in an India-Nepal economic cooperation. The PTA is expected to encourage international investment in Nepal’s hydropower sector while the two PDAs are expected to boost investor confidence in Nepal’s water resources. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Trade |
 January 2015As the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) reached its 120th year, the Partnership Summit – CII’s annual flagship event – gathered over 1,000 delegates to deliberate on global economic and trade scenarios, including enhancing developing countries’ ability to integrate into the world economy. WTO Director General Roberto Azevêdo highlighted India’s contribution to the multilateral trading system and noted the benefits of ratifying the trade facilitation agreement to Indian industries. Read More Tags: WTO, Trade Facilitation Agreement, India |
 January 2015During Plenary Session 5 of the annual Confederation of Indian Industry Partnership Summit, Asian Development Bank (ADB) Vice President Wencai Zhang spoke on growth and cooperation in South Asia. He emphasized the benefits of regional cooperation and cross-border connectivity such as reduction in trade costs, efficiency, and participation in regional and global value chains. Read More Tags: India, Regional Cooperation, Regional Integration |
 January 2015Bangladesh Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed and India Minister for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman jointly inaugurated the first border market (“haat”) along the Tripura-Bangladesh frontier on 13 January 2015. Both ministers spoke optimistically about new opportunities for trade during the inauguration ceremony. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Trade, Transport |
 January 2015Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised to make India the easiest destination to do business with at the inauguration of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit on 11 January 2015. With global leaders and foreign investors in attendance, he highlighted India's investor-friendly climate, and said that India is working to upgrade its manufacturing infrastructure by modernizing ports and improving road and rail connectivity. Read More Tags: India, Infrastructure, Trade Facilitation, manufacturing |
 November 2014In recent decades, Bangladesh has emerged as one of the largest export markets for India in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation region. From 1988-1989 to 1992-1993, India’s total exports increased by 164%, while the increase in imports to Bangladesh was 293%. Read More Tags: India, Bangladesh, Trade |
 November 2014The agreement announced by the United States of America and India makes the World Trade Organization impasse likely to end and opens the way for implementation of the trade facilitation agreement. This new US-India agreement clarifies and makes open-ended the “peace clause” that was agreed during the Bali Ministerial in December 2013. The new deal clarifies ambiguities regarding India’s food stockpiles. Read More Tags: India, United States, Trade Facilitation Agreement |
 November 2014Bhutanese Ambassador Pema Choden, Indian High Commissioner Pankaj Saran, and Nepalese Ambassador Hari Kumar Shrestha visited the Land Customs Stations of Burimari-Changrabandha (Bangladesh-India), Phuentsholing-Jaigaon (Bhutan-India), Kakarbhitta-Panitanki (Nepal-India) and Phulbari-Banglabandha (India-Bangladesh) on 9-12 November 2014. BINA took the land route used by traders of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Nepal |
 November 2014The Government of Nepal has allocated portions of the $1 billion line of credit from India to infrastructure projects boosting energy trade and transport connectivity between the two countries. The Budhigandaki Hydroelectric Project will receive around half of the credit; bridges enhancing connectivity of Nepal's western border with India are also planned. Read More Tags: India, Energy, Nepal |
 October 2014The Asian Development Bank is extending $40 million in loan to Ocean Sparkle Ltd, one of India’s largest port operations and management companies, to expand and improve fleet services. This first private sector investment in India’s ports sector will fuel efficiency, lower freight costs, hasten shipping, and expand maritime trade. Read More Tags: ADB, India, Ports |
 October 2014Nepal and India have formally signed a historic Power Trade Agreement (PTA) which paves the way for free trade of power between the two neighboring countries. The signing took place at Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala's office at Singha Durbar in Kathmandu, Nepal on 21 October 2014, with Nepal Energy Secretary Rajendra Kishore Kshatri and India Power Secretary Pradeep Kumar Sinha in attendance. Read More Tags: Energy, Nepal, India |
 October 2014Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa marked the completion of the 38 km long Pallai-Jaffna railway line under the Indian credit line of $800 million last 13 October 2014. The reconstruction of this Northern Railway line by IRCON International Ltd, a public sector enterprise under the Government of India, links Sri Lanka’s conflict-ridden Northern Province to Colombo. Read More Tags: India, Transport, Rail |
 October 2014Indian Deputy High Commissioner in Dhaka Mr. Sandeep Chakravorty paid a 3-day visit to India's state of Tripura in October to meet ministers and top officials and review progress made in several India-Bangladesh infrastructure projects. Following his meeting with Power Minister Mr. Manik Dey, Chakravorty revealed that India has initiated steps to ensure 100 megawatt of power will be supplied to Bangladesh from Tripura's Palatana power plant. Read More Tags: Energy, Bangladesh, India |
 October 2014India remains concerned on finding a permanent solution on food stockholding, while preserving the integrity of the Bali package concluded at WTO’s 9th ministerial meeting. India is calling for progress on a parallel pact that allows it to subsidize and stockpile food grains than is currently allowed by WTO rules. Read More Tags: WTO, India, Trade Facilitation Agreement |
 September 2014Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held separate bilateral meetings with Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala. The neighboring leaders discussed their support for the ‘neighborhood first’ policy and affirmed their commitment to South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) as a regional block that can solve common problems. Read More Tags: India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka |
 September 2014The Government of Nepal has requested financing from the Government of India for construction of bridges across the Terai as part of the second phase of a road project linking the East-West Highway to several border points. Around 62 bridges are required for the project. Read More Tags: India, Infrastructure, Nepal, Transport |
 September 2014Following the meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala during Prime Minister Modi's state visit to Kathmandu in August, a project that has waited in the pipeline for 17 years saw new developments. Read More Tags: Energy, India, Hydropower, Nepal |
 September 2014Bangladesh Foreign Minister Mr. Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali visited Prime Minister Shri Narenda Modi in New Delhi for the 3rd Meeting of the India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) on 19 September 2014. Foreign Minister Ali expressed appreciation for Prime Minister Modi's leadership and relations with the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. Read More Tags: India, Bangladesh, Regional Cooperation |
 September 2014Nepal and India signed a landmark preliminary Power Trade Agreement (PTA) on 4 September 2014, around two weeks ahead of the deadline set by India Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This PTA paves the way for bilateral trade of electricity between the two countries, and is foreseen to boost their energy security, as well as bring in added revenues to Nepal's economy. Read More Tags: Energy, India, Nepal |
 September 2014In follow-up to the limited pilot run of United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific's Secure Cross-border Transport Model, officials from India and Bhutan Customs administrations participated in trial runs of 80 vehicles along the Kolkata-Jaigon-Phuentsholing transit corridor between Bhutan and India on 1—5 September 2014. Read More Tags: Trade Facilitation, India, Bhutan, Transport |
 August 2014Following a meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the sidelines of an India-Bangladesh business conclave on 24 August 2014, Tripura Industries and Commerce Minister Tapan Chakraborty said that Bangladesh will allow neighboring countries to use Ashuganj and Chittagong sea ports for multi-modal transport. This move is expected to further enhance economic integration among South Asian countries. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Bilateral Trade, India, Connectivity, Transport |
 August 2014Asian Development Bank President Takehiko Nakao expressed full support for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of greater regional integration and connectivity at a meeting on August 27 during a 2-day visit to India. Strengthening ties with South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation countries is a focus of Prime Minister Modi's government. Read More Tags: ADB, Energy, India, Regional Cooperation |
 August 2014Bangladesh Finance Minister Mr. Abul Maal Abdul Muhith told reporters that good relations between Bangladesh and India are beneficial to both countries. Prior to the press interview, Finance Minister Muhith met with visiting Asian Development Bank Vice President Mr. Bindu Lohani to discuss further enhancing connectivity between Bangladesh and India. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Bilateral Trade, India, Transport |
 August 2014Mr. Gautam Bambawale, recently appointed Ambassador of India to Bhutan, visited Chhukha Hydropower Plant-the first joint project between India and Bhutan-during his first two weeks in office. Power trade between Bhutan and India is one of the many areas of cooperation between the two countries. Read More Tags: Bhutan, Energy, India |
 August 2014After striking a similar deal in India, Nepal is set to sign a power trade agreement with Bangladesh. A Memorandum of Understanding is expected to be vetted by Nepal and presented during the power sector cooperation meeting in December, after the South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation summit. Hydropower produced in Nepal through power sector cooperation, would be exported to Bangladesh through India's power corridor. Read More Tags: Nepal, Bangladesh, Energy, India |
 August 2014Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a two-day visit to Kathmandu, Nepal on 3-4 August 2014, the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 17 years. At a speech delivered to the Parliament of Nepal, Modi announced India’s desire to help Nepal and offered an additional soft loan of US $1 billion for energy projects and infrastructure development. Read More Tags: Energy, India, Nepal, Regional Cooperation, Transport |
 July 2014China initially opened the railway to Tibet’s capital, Lhasa, in 2006 as part of its national plan to boost development. The railway is envisioned to be linked to Rasuwagadhi, Nepal through the Shigatse-Kerung stretch. Rasuwagadhi is about 500 kilometers from Shigatse. There are plans to extend the railway linking Tibet with the rest of the country during 2016-2020 to two separate points on the border of Nepal and on the border of India and Bhutan. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Bhutan, Transport |
 July 2014 |
 July 2014Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) formally launched a joint international development bank during the annual BRICS Summit in Fortaleza, Brazil to mobilize resources for infrastructure and sustainability projects in BRICS, and other emerging and developing countries. The BRICS New Development Bank, with headquarters located in Shanghai, will have an initial authorized capital of $100 billion. Read More Tags: BRICS, India, Infrastructure |
 July 2014 |
 July 2014The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a loan of $180 million to Nepal for the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Power System Expansion Project to help Nepal address its urgent power needs. Two government agencies of Nepal are involved in the project – Nepal Electricity Authority to upgrade transmission and distribution lines, and the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre to provide electricity to remote rural areas. Read More Tags: Energy, Nepal, India |
 July 2014The Asian Development Bank-financed Dhaka-Chittagong Expressway Public-Private Partnership Design Project will assist the Government of Bangladesh to prepare detailed engineering design documents of the existing two-lane Dhaka-Chittagong highway that will be developed into a six-lane freeway. It will provide badly-needed additional road capacity. Several firms were chosen in the joint venture that is expected complete the project in 2023. Read More Tags: Transport, Bangladesh, India |
 May 2014The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a multitranche financing facility of $500 million for the SASEC Road Connectivity Investment Program (SRCIP) in March 2014, which aims to increase domestic and regional trade through North Bengal and Northeastern Region (NB-NER) of India. The overall investment program will rehabilitate and upgrade about 500 kilometers (km) of regional connectivity roads, including both national highways and state roads. Read More Tags: Transport, India, SAARC |
 February 2014On 17 February 2014, the Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $125 million loan for the second tranche of the ADB-financed North Eastern States Road Investment Program, approved in 2013. Reconstruction and rehabilitation of more than 236 kilometers (km) of state roads in Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura will contribute to increased transport efficiency in the project area, as well as better mobility and accessibility in the wider North Eastern region of India. Read More Tags: India, Infrastructure, Transport |
 January 2014The question on whether India is an open or a closed economy depends on whether “openness”, according to Arvind Subramanian of the Peterson Institute for International Economics, is measured by trade policy or by actual trade outcomes. While India’s trade policy barriers were high prior to 1991, they have declined significantly to almost 10 percent today and have almost converged with tariffs in the rest of the world. Read More Tags: India, Trade Policy, Economy |
 June 2012The SAARC Working Group noted that under Phase II all member states had already reduced their respective Sensitive Lists by a minimum of 20%. Bhutan India and Maldives had made substantial reductions in their lists which in fact were significantly more than the previously mandated reduction level. Read More Tags: Bhutan, Free Trade Agreement, India, Maldives, SAARC, SAFTA, South Asia, Trade |
 April 2012 |
 March 2012 |
