BANGLADESH INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AND STRATEGIC STUDIES

MATERIALIZING THE BBIN INITIATIVE: TRANSPORT CONNECTIVITY IN FOCUS

Author: Sajid Karim, Mohammad Jasim Uddin

DOI Link: https://www.doi.org/10.56888/BIISSj2018v39n3a3

ABSTRACT

A major thrust towards forming a new sub-regional grouping was observed when Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal, also known as BBIN, signed an agreement on 15 June 2015, titled “Motor Vehicle Agreement for the Regulation of Passenger, Personal and Cargo Vehicular Traffic between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal”, with an ambition to facilitate seamless movement of passenger, personnel and cargo vehicles within the territories of each other. Signing of the agreement has ushered hope of a new sub-regionalism towards materializing BBIN through seamless transport connectivity. BBIN as sub-regional cooperation is still in formative stage and has to go a long way. This paper aims to evaluate three aspects. What are the developments so far within the framework? What are the challenges ahead of materializing BBIN and transport connectivity in particular? And what are the possible doings to address the concerns? The paper suggests five broad tasks, along with political commitment, to take into consideration: developing comprehensive arrangement; harmonizing standards, rules and regulations; mobilizing funds; exchanging information and research and developing an effective cooperation mechanism.