 July 2024Mr. Vikram Misri, Foreign Secretary of the Government of India to Bhutan, undertook an official visit to Bhutan in July 2024. During the Third India-Bhutan Development Cooperation Talks, both countries discussed the implementation of India's development support for Bhutan's 13th Five Year Plan. A key highlight of the talks was the approval of 61 projects covering a wide range of sectors. Read More Tags: Bhutan, India, Energy, Connectivity |
 February 2024Mr. Nasrul Hamid, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources of the Government of Bangladesh, has requested the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to fix "actual" energy prices and establish a power market to allow Bangladesh to import and export electricity from and to neighboring countries. Mr. Hamid met with Mr. Takeo Konishi, director general, ADB South Asia Department, and Mr. Edimon Ginting, ADB country director for Bangladesh. Read More Tags: Energy, ADB, Connectivity, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan |
 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 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 |
 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 2022Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reiterated her offer of access to Bangladesh’s Chittagong and Mongla seaports and Syedpur airport to the people of Nepal during a courtesy call by a Nepal parliamentary delegation. Read More Tags: Ports, Bangladesh, Nepal, 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 |
 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 |
 March 2022The South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM) hosted the 2nd Bay of Bengal Economic Dialogue 2022 on 11-12 March 2022. The session on Infrastructure Connectivity in the Bay of Bengal region noted the need to invest in other forms of infrastructure. Read More Tags: BIMSTEC, Connectivity |
 November 2021The first bilateral consultation between Bangladesh and Maldives acknowledged the excellent relations between the two countries and discussed cooperation, with emphasis on deepening linkages by concluding several bilateral instruments, including agreements on trade and connectivity, and tourism for enhancing people to people to contact. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Maldives, Connectivity |
 November 2021Mr. Gamini Lakshman Peiris, Foreign Minister of the Government of Sri Lanka, paid a courtesy call to Mr. AK Abdul Momen, Foreign Minister of the Government of Bangladesh. Their meeting emphasized strengthening air and maritime connectivity. Both Foreign Ministers also noted the need to conclude a preferential trade agreement at the earliest possible time to promote bilateral trade. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Connectivity |
 May 2021Inland waterway transport is cost-effective and will ease congestion on road and rail networks. In this article, Dr. Niranjan Hiranandani, National President, National Real Estate Development Council, discusses the potential benefits of developing inland waterway transport in India. Read More Tags: Waterways, Connectivity, Transport |
 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 |
 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 2021An official meeting between Bhutan Prime Minister Lotay Tshering and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on 24 March 2021 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, emphasized boosting trade, connectivity, and cooperation in energy between the two South Asian nations. Read More Tags: Bhutan, Bangladesh, Trade, Connectivity, BBIN, Energy |
 March 2021Sri Lanka Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina held bilateral talks on 20 March 2021 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The two leaders comprehensively reviewed various aspects of Bangladesh-Sri Lanka relations, including boosting high level exchanges, deepening trade, and increasing connectivity. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Trade, Connectivity |
 March 2021Bilateral cooperation between the Governments of Bangladesh and the Maldives received a boost with the signing of four MoUs, including a joint commission for comprehensive cooperation and bilateral foreign office consultations. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Maldives, Trade, Shipping, Connectivity |
 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 |
 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 |
 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 |
 June 2020Leaders and foreign ministers of BIMSTEC member states and the BIMSTEC Secretary General expressed their felicitations on the occasion of BIMSTEC Day 2020, and reaffirmed their commitment to building cooperation and increasing resilience through the interregional organization amidst the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Read More Tags: BIMSTEC, Covid19, Connectivity |
 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 |
 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 |
 September 2018A toll highway to be built in central Colombo will ease traffic congestion, improve connectivity, and facilitate trade logistics in Sri Lanka. The Asian Development Bank has approved a $300 million loan to help in the construction of about 5.3 kilometers of the highway, under the SASEC Port Access Elevated Highway Project. Read More Tags: ADB, SASEC, Sri Lanka, Connectivity, Trade, Road, Transport |
 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 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 Government of Nepal hosted the Fourth BIMSTEC Summit on 30-31 August 2018 in Kathmandu, Nepal, with participation of all BIMSTEC member countries. The Summit, in its Declaration, committed to deliver results in various sectors of cooperation, including poverty alleviation, connectivity, trade and investment, people-to-people contact, and tourism. Read More Tags: BIMSTEC, Regional Cooperation, Connectivity, Trade |
 August 2018Foreign Ministers of BIMSTEC member countries approved in principle around
167 projects to improve connectivity in the region. The projects, detailed
in a study by the Asian Development Bank, are worth an estimated $50
billion. It includes transportation and cross-border facilitation,
multimodal transport and logistics, infrastructure development, aviation,
maritime transport, human resources development, communication linkages, and
networking in the region. Read More Tags: Connectivity, Transport, BIMSTEC, Aviation, Logistics |
 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 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 |
 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 |
 April 2018Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Asian countries should strive for connectivity and invest in youth and women to address inequality and to help stabilize the region. She was addressing Asian leaders at the Commonwealth Business Forum in London. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Gender, Connectivity |
 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 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 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 |
 March 2018The 6th SAARC Business Leaders' Conclave stressed the importance of prioritizing the economic agenda in the SAARC region. Mr. Shekhar Golcha, Senior Vice President, Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, underscored the need to make the economic agenda the guiding force among relationships within SAARC. Read More Tags: Connectivity, Infrastructure, Investment, SAARC, Trade |
 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 |
 November 2017ADB held a Regional Cooperation and Integration (RCI) Week to asses strategic RCI themes and initiatives in Asia and the Pacific and to define ADB implementation of its RCI Operational Plan. ADB also presented RCI Best Performers Awards, recognizing the SASEC Program for the SASEC Vision: Powering Asia in the 21st Century, and for leading the SASEC Road Connectivity Investment Program Multitranche Financing Facility Project. Read More Tags: ADB, Connectivity, Regional Cooperation, Road, SASEC, Transport |
 November 2017The Second Meeting of the BIMSTEC Transport Connectivity Working Group discussed the BIMSTEC Master Plan on Transport Connectivity. The Master Plan is envisaged to provide an overarching framework for BIMSTEC in enhancing transport connectivity among its member countries. Read More Tags: BIMSTEC, Transport, Connectivity |
 October 2017A groundbreaking ceremony marked the start of the Northern Bypass construction in Phuentsholing, Bhutan, which includes the 2.7-kilometer bypass road and 120-meter bridge over Omchhu. The project is funded by the Asian Development Bank under the SASEC Program to improve Bhutan's regional connectivity, and open up access to better economic opportunities and social services. Read More Tags: Bhutan, Connectivity, Road, Bridge, 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 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 |
 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 |
 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 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 |
 May 2017The Secretary General of Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) advised member countries to look at regional cooperation in a pragmatic way, with efforts to build regional cooperation focusing on achieving practical results, at the conference marking BIMSTEC’s 20th anniversary. Read More Tags: BIMSTEC, Trade Facilitation, Transport, Connectivity, Regional Cooperation |
 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 |
 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 |
 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 2017Mr. Wencai Zhang, Asian Development Bank Vice President, discusses in this commentary how Asia’s growth poles will drive the global economy in the coming years, if South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia can dynamically integrate their economies. He emphasized the urgent need to synch strengths across sub-regions—by removing non-tariff barriers, strengthening connectivity, and building economic corridors—to help erase poverty in the region. Read More Tags: ADB, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Connectivity, Economic Corridor Development |
 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 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 |
 December 2016Least Developed Countries (LDCs) comprise around 880 million people yet account for less than 2% of the world gross domestic product. South Asian countries can accelerate economic development and graduate from the LDC category by working with each other. The economic future of their people could change radically through collaboration between the countries and lift millions of people out of poverty. Read More Tags: Bhutan, Nepal, BBIN, Connectivity, Energy, SAARC, Sri Lanka, Trade, UNCTAD |
 December 2016The SASEC project portfolio has surpassed the $9 billion mark with the December 2016 approval of Nepal’s SASEC Roads Improvement Project, worth $256.5 million. There are now 44 SASEC investment projects worth a cumulative $9.13 billion. During 2016, seven projects have been approved for a total of $2.37 billion. Read More Tags: SASEC, Trade Facilitation, Energy, Transport, Roads, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, ICT, Rail, Economic corridor, Connectivity |
 December 2016The Asian Development Bank has approved a loan for $187 million to Nepal for the SASEC Roads Improvement Project, which will upgrade transport connectivity and bring transformational gains by making social services more accessible, opening up previously untapped economic opportunities, and supporting trade between Nepal and India. Read More Tags: SASEC, Transport, Nepal, Connectivity, ADB, Services, Trade |
 September 2016The Asian Development Bank has approved a multitranche loan of $1.5 billion to the Government of Bangladesh for construction of a key section of the Chittagong-Cox’s Bazar railway line—the largest ever investment in railways by ADB. The new line will improve Bangladesh’s access to Myanmar and beyond, facilitate trade, and boost tourism in southeastern Bangladesh. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Myanmar, Rail, Connectivity, Transport, Trade, Tourism |
 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 |
 March 2016The development of a SAARC Industrial Park is one of the top priorities of the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SAARC CCI), and will enable the sharing of technical knowledge for industries and services among SAARC countries, and promote intra-SAARC trade and investment, according to new SAARC CCI President Suraj Vaidya. SAARC CCI will also work toward boosting connectivity in the region. Read More Tags: SAARC CCI, Connectivity, Private Sector, Nepal |
 November 2015The first annual bilateral consultation between the Government of Bhutan and the Government of Sri Lanka, held on 16 November 2015 in Colombo, discussed cooperation in regional and multilateral forums, and air connectivity. Membership of regional organizations and frameworks, including SAARC and BIMSTEC, was emphasized by the two countries as one way to strengthen links and enhance trade and economic cooperation. Read More Tags: Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Bilateral Trade, Connectivity, Transport |
 August 2015The Bangladesh Government will take steps to widen the Dhaka-Sylhet highway to four lanes to facilitate the flow of traffic, following completion of a feasibility study and detailed design of this national highway. The study was conducted by the Road and Highways Department, Bangladesh, with funding from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) technical assistance. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Transport, Connectivity |
 November 2014South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) member countries are currently working on six Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) that will link South Asia by rail, road, air and sea, to stimulate greater trade within the region. This includes the SAARC Motor Vehicles Agreement and SAARC Regional Railways Agreement. Read More Tags: Connectivity, South Asia, Transport |
 November 2014The South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Program has released a mobile app now available for download. This free app is your one-stop shop for the latest information on SASEC Program projects, news, events, and other knowledge products. Read More Tags: Connectivity, Energy, Transport, Trade Facilitation |
 September 2014A single permit system facilitating easy movement of goods and people through road transport within the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) region may soon be a possibility, as SAARC member states consider this proposal during a meeting of SAARC officials in Rajasthan, India. Read More Tags: Transport, SAARC, Connectivity |
 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 2014Economic dynamism in the Asia-Pacific region has been driven primarily by individual economies, yet to ensure sustainable growth in the future, countries must integrate and cooperate to share prosperity, according to the 2014edition of the Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific. Read More Tags: Regional Cooperation, Poverty Reduction, UNESCAP, Asia-Pacific, Energy, Connectivity, ICT, LDC, SASEC, Trade, Transport |
 July 2014A coastal shipping arrangement between Bangladesh and India will soon facilitate faster shipment of goods between the two countries, and enable better access to India's northeastern regions. It is also expected to give bilateral trade a boost. Trials runs in Chittagong port and Kolkata port are scheduled to begin by October 14. Read More Tags: Transport, Regional Cooperation, Connectivity |
 June 2014The Royal Kingdom of Bhutan and India are moving to more sophisticated technologies in an effort to increase trade efficiencies between the two countries. In May 2014, government officials from Bhutan and India agreed to embark on a feasibility study that will pilot UNESCAP's Secure Cross-Border Transport Model (SCBTM) along key trade corridors, aimed at speeding up and reducing the cost of trade through designated land routes and border-crossing points. Read More Tags: Transport, Connectivity, Economic corridor |
 May 2014 |
 March 2014BIMSTEC senior officials visited the Myawaddy-Kawkareik Road Project in Myanmar on 20 March 2014, at the southeastern end of the Trilateral Highway connecting India, Myanmar and Thailand. The $38 million Government of Thailand-financed project is upgrading and constructing 45.5 kilometers of national highway, and rehabilitating the Myanmar-Thailand Friendship Bridge. Read More Tags: Transport, Connectivity, BIMSTEC |
 February 2014The South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Development Fund met on 12-14 February 2014 in New Delhi, India to brainstorm on its evolving strategic plan. It reviewed the purpose, methodology, and sustainability of social window activities; explored fund-raising opportunities and loan instruments; and prioritized projects for funding. Read More Tags: SAARC, Regional Cooperation, Connectivity |
 February 2014Aligned with South Asia Sub-regional Economic Cooperation (SASEC), the Government of Bangladesh will implement a Tk 27.88 billion ($358. 59 million) project to upgrade the Jaidevpur-Chandra-Tangail-Elenga highway which forms part of Asian Highway-2, Asian Hghway-41, and SAARC Highway Corridor-4 to facilitate road connectivity with neighboring countries. Read More Tags: Transport, Connectivity, Bangladesh |
