Strengthening Regional Cooperation for Seamless and Sustainable ConnectivityLeast developed countries, landlocked developing countries, and small island developing states in Asia and the Pacific have been working to promote seamless transport to facilitate trade. Bangladesh, for example, has completed construction of the new Akhaura (Bangladesh) to Agartala (India) railway link, and has begun operations of Oxygen Express train carrying liquid medical oxygen as well as regular freight services between Haldibari in India and Chilahati in Bangladesh. Across South Asia, countries have also been rolling out an Electronic Cargo Tracking System under the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific to make cargo movement more seamless. Author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Year: 2023 Download Tags: Trade, South Asia, UNESCAP, Regional Cooperation, Sustainable Development Goals, Railway, Bangladesh, India High-Speed Railway, Market Access, and Economic GrowthHigh-speed railway in the People’s Republic of China exerts positive impact effects on growth, where a 1% increase in market access leads to an increase of 0.12% in real income. Drawing insights from the effects of transport infrastructure in India, this paper suggests that high-speed railway could help promote regional cooperation and stimulate regional economic growth. Author: Wei Zou, Liangheng Chen, and Junke Xiong Year: 2018 Download Tags: ADB, Regional Cooperation, Transport, Railway Transport Corridors and their Wider Economic Benefits: A Critical Review of the LiteratureThis paper reviews literature estimating the impact of large transport investments. It reviews 78 studies, 11 of which centers on infrastructure projects in India. The paper looks at the economic benefits of transport infrastructure projects to better understand how corridors could generate wider economic benefits, with a focus on roads, rails, and waterways. The review assesses the impact of transport corridor projects on economic welfare and equity, environmental quality, and social inclusion, and suggests a need for policies and institutions that address trade-offs. Author: Mark Roberts, Martin Melecky, Theophile Bougna, and Yan Sarah Xu Year: 2018 Download Tags: Economic Corridor Development, India, Infrastructure, Investment, Railway, Roads, Transport, WB  Improving Lives Together in Bangladesh: 50 Years of the Asian Development BankThis report highlights the milestones in the Bangladesh-Asian Development Bank (ADB) partnership since 1973, including projects in transport and energy that have shown sustained development results. Development contributions from ADB-assisted projects in Bangladesh include the Second South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Program (SASEC) Bangladesh-India Electrical Grid Interconnection Project that will help double electricity imports from India from the current 500 megawatts; the $505 million SASEC Railway Connectivity, Akhaura Laksam Double-Track Project, which will help railways meet passenger and freight demand; the SASEC Road Connectivity Project, which is upgrading a 70 km stretch along a corridor connecting the northwest to Dhaka to support domestic and subregional trade; and the SASEC Trade Facilitation Program, which aims to reduce non-tariff barriers by adopting international Customs administration protocols, upgrade existing Customs management systems, and establish a web-based electronic trade portal. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2017 Download Tags: SASEC, ADB, Bangladesh, India, Railway, Energy, Transport Lessons from ADB Transport Projects: Moving Goods, Connecting People, and Disseminating KnowledgeThis publication shares 20 case stories from the Asian Development Bank bearing practical lessons for transport projects across Asia and the Pacific region under different socioeconomic and political situations. The book includes reports on improving aviation in Bhutan, working on computerized transport and trade logistics in Nepal, and constructing Sri Lanka's Greenfield Highway, and the role policy plays in those projects. It also draws lessons from how India's road development increased rural communities' access to public services and economic opportunities, and how participatory processes in selecting road improvement projects in Bangladesh provide a model for long-term plan for road maintenance. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2017 Download Tags: ADB, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Railway, Sri Lanka, Transport, ADB RCI Reducing Poverty by Closing South Asia's Infrastructure GapThis report takes a critical look at inter-and intra-regional infrastructure of South Asia and explores inequality of access across space and time. It gives an approximate total cost of regional infrastructure needs and investment trends in the South Asia region, along with a proposed framework on ranking of infrastructure needs. The report also examines better usage of existing resources and policy options to help the poorest gain better access to infrastructure.
Finally, it recognizes the enormity of infrastructure deficiencies in South Asia and acknowledges that a good mix of infrastructure investment and supportive reform implementation will enable the region to close the infrastructure gap. Author: Luis Andrés, Dan Biller, and Matías Herrera Dappe Year: 2013 Download Tags: Transport, South Asia, Infrastructure, Energy, Roads, Railway, Water Supply, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives |
