Political mistrust hindering regional motor vehicle agreement

Political mistrust between countries is hindering progress in the implementation of the Motor Vehicle Agreement (MVA) between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN), speakers at a dialogue said on Wednesday.

Bhutan does not want to be in the pact, while Nepal is also showing unwillingness, said economists, officials, and businessmen, urging the participation of all parties in implementing the agreement.

The remarks came during an online National Advocacy Dialogue for multimodal connectivity in the BBIN sub-region, organised by Unnayan Shamannay.

Speakers said implementation of the MVA agreement will open up the possibility of adopting a sub-regional protocol for a cost-effective, efficient, and seamless multimodal transport system.

The system is expected to significantly decrease the cost of doing business and eventually increase the standard of living in the sub-region.

Former High Commissioner to India Tariq Karim said, "The region had multimodal connectivity during British rule. But after the partition [in 1947], we ended it ourselves. There may be political problems between the countries, but the implementation of multimodal connectivity must be given importance in economic development."

Nazneen Ahmad, an economist, said "Several ways have been identified on how the BBIN pact can help the countries develop economically. Now it has to be implemented with cooperation from all.

"India is a strong economy in the region. The other three countries are graduating from the list of Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Bhutan will graduate in 2023, Nepal and Bangladesh in 2026. These countries will lose various trade facilities after their LDC transition. It will be easier to meet the challenge of LDC graduation through the implementation of BBIN."

Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, MP and former president of FBCCI, said that in order to dispel the mistrust between the countries of this region, it is necessary to increase the "connection of minds" first.

He said killing at the border, failing to ratify a Teesta treaty has created mistrust in many cases which must be overcome.

Meanwhile, participating from India's Chhattisgarh, Bipul Chatterjee, executive director, CUTS International, said, "Simply establishing a brick-cement connection through infrastructure development will not do: a connection between the people also needs to be made.

"Development will not happen just by building a connecting road. This road needs to be converted into an economic corridor. Emphasis needs to be placed on creating employment opportunities and increasing economic growth through infrastructure development," he added.

Former Governor of Bangladesh Bank and Unnayan Shamannay Chairperson, Atiur Rahman, presided over the programme.

Citing a World Bank estimate, he said seamless connectivity between Bangladesh and India would increase the real income of Bangladesh by 17% while it will increase India's real income by 8%. Besides, trade between Bhutan and Nepal will increase. There is an opportunity to negotiate with these two countries.