Bangladesh for enhancing South Asian connectivity

Law Minister Anisul Huq yesterday said Bangladesh has made remarkable progress in socio-economic development, as its GDP growth increased to 8.13 percent in 2018-19 from 7.86 percent the previous year.

“Per capita income touched USD 1,909. Now our USD 302 billion economy is moving forward with mega development projects including the Tk 300 billion worth Padma Bridge, Tk 22 billion metro rail, elevated expressway, flyovers, dozens of economic zones and Payra seaport,” he said.

He said this while speaking on “Strengthening Partnership to Drive Asia’s Infrastructure Vision” at the Asia Infrastructure Forum 2019 in Singapore.

The law minister said regional cooperation between Bangladesh and neighboring countries has received a great boost during last 10 years from Bangladesh’s pro-active stance on enhancing connectivity in South Asia.

“Bangladesh is playing a leading role in the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) which groups together Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal and Bhutan in a forum for multilateral cooperation. Bangladesh is also a centre point of different initiatives that seek to connect Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal with Asean and other East Asian countries,” he said.

“With deeper trade, investment and connectivity linkages within the sub-region, Bangladesh is offering its neighbours to benefit from our markets, along with high quality, better priced products and opportunities for transportation and logistical services,” Anisul Huq said.

Speaking about sub-regional connectivity, the minister said, “India is now interested in road and railway transit through Bangladesh as it would lower the cost and time to transport goods.”

The inaugural Asia Infrastructure Forum (AIF) brought together key stakeholders of the region to share their expertise on building a resilient infrastructure for Asia.

The two-day forum will conclude today at Marina Bay Sands.