REALISING THE POTENTIAL OF BANGLADESH’S LOCATION THROUGH CONNECTIVITY

This article examines how Bangladesh can realize the immense economic potential of its strategic geographical location through a proactive policy of regional and sub-regional connectivity. It argues that Bangladesh's location as a bridge between South Asia and Southeast Asia is its single greatest, yet largely unexploited, strategic asset. The study explores the various dimensions of connectivity, including physical connectivity (road, rail, and sea), energy connectivity (power grids and pipelines), and trade and investment connectivity. The research analyzes the major regional connectivity initiatives, such as the Asian Highway and the Trans-Asian Railway, and the benefits that would accrue to Bangladesh from its full participation. The paper posits that by transforming itself into a transport and transit hub, Bangladesh could dramatically accelerate its economic growth and enhance its geopolitical importance. The analysis concludes by identifying the key policy actions needed to overcome the domestic and diplomatic barriers to realizing this vision.

Geography has blessed Bangladesh with a potentially game-changing strategic asset: its location. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of how the country can finally "realize the potential" of this location through a determined pursuit of connectivity. The study begins by moving beyond a simple description of geography to a more dynamic concept of "geo-economics," arguing that in a globalized world, a country's location can be actively transformed into a source of economic advantage. The core of the article is a detailed examination of the multi-modal connectivity agenda. In terms of physical connectivity, it analyzes the specific road, rail, and port infrastructure projects that are needed to turn Bangladesh into a seamless transit hub connecting India and the landlocked Himalayan states to Myanmar and the rest of Southeast Asia. In terms of energy connectivity, it explores the potential for Bangladesh to become a hub for regional electricity trade. In terms of trade connectivity, it discusses the need for trade facilitation agreements to ensure the smooth and efficient flow of goods across its borders. The findings suggest that the economic benefits of such a strategy—in terms of transit revenues, logistics industry development, and increased FDI—would be transformative. The paper concludes that while there are significant domestic investment requirements and complex diplomatic challenges to overcome, a national consensus and a long-term strategic vision on connectivity is the single most important step Bangladesh can take to secure its economic future.