BANGLADESH INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AND STRATEGIC STUDIES

REGIONAL AND SUB-REGIONAL CONNECTIVITY ARRANGEMENTS: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR BANGLADESH

Author: Shanjida Shahab Uddin

DOI Link: https://www.doi.org/10.56888/BIISSj2016v37n2a4

ABSTRACT

Connectivity initiatives in the present era are considered as a significant prerequisite for developing transport sector, people to people engagement, institutional linkages and hence in the long run, contributing to the economic development. Bangladesh’s unique location puts it in the vicinity of two regional powers - India and China and landlocked countries − Bhutan and Nepal. With two operational seaports, one forthcoming deep-sea port and several land ports, Bangladesh can easily reap a myriad of benefits by turning itself into a regional and trading hub. Therefore, the paper explains the possible benefits that Bangladesh and its neighbours could gain from already established and forthcoming connectivity arrangements at the regional and sub-regional level. The paper also reviewed the existing and possible impending challenges that Bangladesh would face in transforming itself as a connectivity centre and suggested policy recommendations to address these challenges.