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Background
It is a frequently reiterated statement that South Asia is one of the least integrated and connected regions of the world. However, of late, there has been both movement and investment of political capital behind regional integration, particularly among the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal (BBIN) group of countries. It is increasingly felt that a more integrated BBIN sub-region is critical for regional and global economic growth, balance and also political stability for shared prosperity with security.
The political push behind sub-regional and regional blocs like BBIN and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) also aptly indicates the increasing buzz and consensus around regional cooperation and integration. The two biggest nations in Asia – China and India – have been making strong strides in terms of promoting cross-border and regional connectivity.
China’s Belt and Road initiative has, in many ways, changed the discourse around connectivity in the region. India and Bangladesh are together pushing some of the most ambitious bilateral cooperation in the two nation’s history, including those on multi-modal physical, institutional and people-to-people connectivity. India and Japan have come together on the Asia-Africa Growth Corridor. In short, the time is just right to push for more action towards fostering connectivity in this sub-region.
All this intent and political consensus will, however, need tangible tools and vehicles on the ground to be able to implement the plans and proposals. It is reasonably quick implementation, realisation of expected benefits and effective addressing of possible losses, which will hold the key to effective demonstration of political intent and will to enhance connectivity.
That, in turn, will require clear understanding of ground level challenges in terms of infrastructure, policy and regulatory gaps and also the extent of ownership at the sub-national and national levels for larger connectivity plans.
In short, for the BBIN group of countries to embark upon large-scale multi-modal connectivity initiatives, it is necessary for them to create an enabling environment for a well-informed political economy discourse towards that end. In that context, the key is to understand the conditions and factors responsible for successful regional/sub-regional/bilateral connectivity initiatives in Central, South and Southeast Asian countries.
That will help positioning advocacy messages towards addressing implementation challenges of the BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA) in Bangladesh, India and Nepal and, through multi-stakeholder discourse mapping by particularly involving those at the grassroots, will set the stage for multi-modal connectivity initiatives in this sub-region, combining roadways with inland waterways, coastal shipping and railways.
Objectives
- Addressing implementation challenges of the BBIN MVA in Bangladesh, India and Nepal.
- Identification of gaps in infrastructure policy and regulations, which can pose hurdles to multi-modal connectivity in this sub-region
- Understanding the possible impact of multi-modal transport and transit facilitation on local economic development parameters with an emphasis on how it can enhance women’s economic empowerment
- Identification of possible livelihood generation opportunities that can be gained through the development of regional/sub-regional/bilateral value chains and their facilitation through multi-modal connectivity
- Contribution towards formulating an inclusive transport and transit protocols for an effective multi-modal connectivity in this sub-region through a participatory approach
- Organising multi-level, multi-stakeholder advocacy and awareness generation to push for identified infrastructure development and policy, regulatory and procedural changes
Approach and Activities
The following activities will be conducted over a period of two years:
- Desk research and scoping visits to identify factors responsible for the success of connectivity initiatives in Central Asia (Ashgabat Agreement), GMS (Greater Mekong Sub-region) Railways Network and India-Bangladesh Coastal Shipping Agreement
- Understand their approach towards addressing implementation challenges, and how these initiatives can be linked with existing and future connectivity initiatives of the BBIN sub-region
- Field research covering six rail heads, six river ports, and three sea ports capable of being nodes of multi-modal connectivity in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal
- Qualitative data analysis through discourse mapping and field visits to prepare recommendations through corridor-specific case studies
- Video documentary highlighting aspirations and concerns of grassroots level stakeholders from multi-modal connectivity in the BBIN sub-region
- Policy dialogues among the relevant stakeholders to generate a better-informed political economy discourse and chart an action agenda for multi-modal connectivity in the BBIN sub-region
Expected Outcomes
- Effective implementation of the BBIN MVA in Bangladesh, India and Nepal
- Comprehensive understanding of political economy challenges of initiating multi-modal connectivity initiatives in the BBIN sub-region.
- Identification of critical and prioritised infrastructure needs to enable multi-modal connectivity in the BBIN sub-region through linkages between and among roads, inland waterways including coastal shipping and railways
- Mapping of national and regional policies, regulations, existing/proposed protocols and trade/transport processes and practices with regard to transport and transit using multi-modal connectivity system
- Understanding of stakeholder concerns and benefits/costs of multi-modal connectivity initiatives, with a particular reference to local economic development parameters for better livelihood generations.
- Addressing implementation challenges of the BBIN MVA in Bangladesh, India and Nepal.
- Identification of gaps in infrastructure policy and regulations, which can pose hurdles to multi-modal connectivity in this sub-region.
- Understanding the possible impact of multi-modal transport and transit facilitation on local economic development parameters,with an emphasis on how it can enhance women’s economic empowerment.
- Identification of possible livelihood generation opportunities that can be gained through the development of regional/sub-regional/bilateral value chains and their facilitation through multi-modal connectivity.
- Contribution towards formulating an inclusive transport and transit protocols for an effective multi-modal connectivity in this sub-region through a participatory approach.
- Organizing multi-level, multi-stakeholder advocacy and awareness generation to push for identified infrastructure development and policy, regulatory and procedural changes.
- Desk research including literature review, scoping visits to identify factors responsible for the success of connectivity initiatives in the CAREC region, Greater Mekong Sub-region etc
- Prepare reports on each of these visits, which will cover a detail analysis of their approach towards addressing implementation challenges, and how these initiatives can be linked with existing and future connectivity initiatives in the BBIN sub-region.
- Survey of ports, railheads etc capable of being nodes of multi-modal connectivity in Bangladesh,Bhutan, India & Nepal.
- A Qualitative Data Analyis (QDA) based on data and other information to be gathered from discourse mapping and field visits, concrete recommendations will be prepared in the form of corridor-specific case studies.
- National policy dialogues among relevant stakeholders and dissemination of video documentary.
- Effective implementation of the BBIN MVA in Bangladesh, India and Nepal.
- Comprehensive understanding of political economy challenges of initiating multi-modal connectivity initiatives in the BBIN sub-region.
- identification of critical and prioritized infrastructure needs to enable multi-modal connectivity in the BBIN sub-region through linkages between and among roads, inland waterways including coastal shipping and railways.
- Mapping of domestic and regional policies, regulations, existing/proposed protocols and trade/transport processes and practices with regard to transport and transit using multi-modal connectivity system, and
- Understanding of stakeholder concerns and costs from multi-modal connectivity initiatives, with particular reference to local economic development parameters (better livelihood generations.
- Initiatives for Strengthening Connectivity and Boosting Trade in the BBIN Sub-region: An Overview
- Project Brief
- Connecting for Shared Prosperity: Corridor-wise Recommendations
- Consolidated report of the ‘Project Inception’ and ‘Project Advisory Committee cum Partners’ webinars, July 2020
- Enabling Transport Connectivity in the BBIN Subregion Stakeholders’ Perception and Way
YouTube broadcasts
- Project Inception Webinar-I | Project Inception Webinar-II | Project Inception Webinar-III
- CUTS Webinar on “Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project: Navigating Myanmar’s Ethnic Conundrum”
Digital Stories
- Gender Inclusivity in Trade and Connectivity – A Collage of Stories from the BBIN Sub-region
- Connecting the Unconnected – How Connectivity Infrastructure affects the Marginalised Communities in India?
BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement: Implementation Concerns and Available Safeguards
E-Newsletter
- Issue #13, January-March, 2023
- Issue #12, October-December, 2022
- Issue #11, July-September, 2022
- Issue #10, April-June, 2022
- Issue #9, January-March, 2022
- Issue #8, October-December, 2021
- Issue #7, July-September, 2021
- Issue #6, April-June, 2021
- Issue #5, January-March, 2021
- Issue #4, October-December, 2020
- Issue #3, July-September, 2020
- Issue #2, April-June, 2020
- Issue #1, April, 2020
Briefing Papers
- Strengthening Inter-State Connectivity in India’s Bordering States for Trade and Inclusive Development
- Scope and Potential for Multimodal ICPs in the Northeast Region of India
- Understanding Logistics Ecosystem in Bihar and its Scope for Improvement
- Role of Northeast Indian States in Shaping India’s Logistics Performance
- Role of Uttar Pradesh in Shaping India’s Logistics Performance
- Scope of Dovetailing Inland and Coastal Waterways between India and Bangladesh
- Railway Connectivity in the BBIN Sub-region and its Potential
- Transform Transport Corridors into Economic Corridors: Towards Inclusive Growth & Trade in the BBIN Sub-Region
- Role of West Bengal in Shaping India’s Logistics Performance
- Border Area Prosperity through Improved Connectivity: The Case of Northeast India
- Facilitating Cross Border Paperless Trade: Benefits of Cooperation for BBIN Countries
- Freight Digitalisation in India: Possible Way Forward
- Sustainability of Indian Investments in Afghanistan
- Strengthening Railway Networks in Northeast India: A Key Driver to Deepen Sub-regional Connectivity and Trade
- Aviation Logistics in the BBIN Sub-region: Pathways for greater resilience
- Kaladan Multi- Modal Transit Transport Project: Navigating Myanmar’s Ethnic Conundrum
Dossier of Catalytic Multimodal Connectivity Initiatives
- Issue #1, September, 2020
- Issue #2, November, 2020
- Issue #3, January, 2021
- Issue #4, April, 2021
- Issue #5, June, 2021
- Issue #6, October, 2021
- Issue #7, December, 2021
- Issue #8, March, 2022
- Issue #9, June, 2022
- Issue #10, September, 2022
- Issue #11, December, 2022
- Issue #12, March, 2022
Working Notes
- Key learnings from Working Notes
- Multimodal Connectivity in BBIN Sub-region: Lessons from the ASEAN Framework
- Learning from CAREC Corridors and Connectivity Prospects for BBIN Sub-region
- Multi-Modal Transport Connectivity in Greater Mekong Sub-Region through Railways Network
- India-Bangladesh Coastal Shipping Agreement
Discussion Papers
- Enhancing Multimodal Connectivity in the BBIN Sub-region: Air Connectivity in Perspective
- Cross-border Twin Towns in the BBIN Sub-region: Facilitating Intra-regional Trade and Cooperation
- A Network of Multi-modal Logistics Parks in the BBIN Sub-region
- Linking Inland Waterways with Industrial Corridors and Logistic Parks for Economical and Ecological Freight Movement in the BBIN Sub-region
- BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement: Scope for developing integrated logistics and transport infrastructure and other related services
- Emerging Multimodal Connectivity in the BBIN Sub-region Possibilities for Competitive Linkages
- Transforming Logistics Performance in BBIN Countries: Towards creating a lasting legacy
Field Diaries
- Benapole: Transformation from Bangladesh-India Trade Artery to a Major BBIN Gateway
- Narayanganj River Port: Prospects as a Multi-Modal Hub
- Chattogram Port: Transition from National to Regional Transportation Hub
- Muktarpur Port: First Private Inland Container Terminal in Bangladesh
- Banglabandha: A Dynamic Connectivity Hub in the BBIN Sub-region
- Tamabil Land Port: A Gateway to Northeastern India
- Gumti-Daudkandi River Port: Connectivity with Northeastern India
- Ashuganj: A Strategic Location in Bangladesh for Trade and Transit
- Mongla Sea Port: A Potential Maritime Access Point for Bhutan and Nepal
- Phuentsholing: Largest Commercial Hub in Bhutan
- Birgunj ICD: Nepal’s Largest Dry Port
- Matarbari Sea Port: Along the Asian Highway Corridor connecting East Asian Countries with South Asian Sub-region
- Glimpses of National and Cross-border Connectivity Linkages from New Delhi
- Visakhapatnam: A Catalyst for Multi-modal Connectivity and Port-led Industrialisation
- Uttar Pradesh: Emerging as a Hub for Multimodal Connectivity in the BBIN Sub-region
- Karimganj: A Strategic Location for India-Bangladesh Trade
- Sahibganj Corridor: Emerging Inland Waterway to Link India-Bangladesh
- Bihar to Facilitate Connectivity in the BBIN Sub-region
- To the heights of Shillong and Dawki
- Tripura: An Emerging Gateway for Multi-modal Connectivity
- Kolkata-Haldia-Kolaghat Triangle
- Dhubri-Jogighopa-Guwahati Landscape
- Petrapole-Gede-Durgapur Triangle
- Siliguri Corridor
POLICY BRIEFS
- Bhutan: Potential of Multi-modal Connectivity
- Bangladesh: Potential of Multi-modal Connectivity
- India: Potential of Multi-modal Connectivity
- Nepal: Potential of Multi-modal Connectivity
DOCUMENTARY
RESEARCH REPORT
- Regional Meeting: Multimodal Connectivity in the BBIN Subregion
March 02, 2023 | 09:30 to 17:10 (IST) - National Advocacy Meeting- India
February 08, 2022 | 11:00 AM – 01:00 PM, IST - National Advocacy Meeting- Bangladesh
February 02, 2022 | 11.00 AM – 01.00 PM Bangladesh Time - National Advocacy Meeting-Bhutan
December 10, 2021 | 3:30 – 5.00 PM Bhutan Time - Webinar on Resilient and Sustainable Supply Chains: Role of Efficient Connectivity and Trade Facilitation Measures for Food and Nutrition Security in the BBIN Sub-region
December 3, 2021 | 3:00 – 4:15 PM IST - National Advocacy Meeting- Nepal
November 18, 2021 | 3.00pm – 5.00pm (Nepal Time) - Second Project Advisory Committee Meeting
September 28, 2021 | 4.30 – 6.30 PM (IST) - India National Reference Group Meeting
September 10, 2021 | 5:30pm to 7:30pm PM (IST) - Nepal National Reference Group Meeting
September 07, 2021 | 10.00 – 11.30 AM IST - Webinar on Knowledge Sharing for Inter-modal Connectivity in the BBIN Sub-region
September 01, 2021 | 5.00 – 6.00 PM (IST) - Bhutan National Reference Group Meeting
August 31, 2021 | (10.30 AM – 12.15 PM BST) - Bangladesh National Reference Group Meeting
August 17, 2021 | 11:00 AM – 01:30 PM (BST) - CUTS Webinar on BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement Will it be an instrument for a sustainable, inclusive and resilient economic transformation?
Monday | March 22, 2021 | 03:00 PM to 05:00PM (IST) - CUTS Webinar on Role of Bhutan and Nepal in multi-modal connectivity in the BBIN sub-region
February 25, 2021 (Thursday) | 03:30-05:00 PM (IST) - CUTS Webinar on “Transforming Logistics Performance in BBIN Countries”
December 16, 2020 | 05:30 PM – 07:00 PM, IST - Webinar on Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project: Navigating Myanmar’s Ethnic Conundrum
October 01, 2020, from 03:00 to 04:00 PM (IST)
Report | Press Release | Video | - Consolidated report of the ‘Project Inception’ and ‘Project Advisory Committee cum Partners’ webinars, July 2020
July 2020 - Project Advisory Committee cum Partners Meeting: Enabling a Political Economy Discourse in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal for Multi-Modal Connectivity
July 30, 2020 03:30 PM (IST) - Project Inception Webinar III – Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal Infrastructure and Development Needs For Multi-Modal Connectivity(M-CONNECT)
July 21, 2020, 15.30-17.30 HRS
Press Release | Video - Project Inception Webinar II – Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal – Enabling a Political Economy Discourse for Multi-Modal Connectivity (M-CONNECT)
July 14, 2020
Press Release | Video - Webinar: Enabling a Political Economy Discourse for Multi-Modal Connectivity (M-CONNECT)
July 07, 2020
Press Release | Video
- Bipul Chatterjee, CUTS International (PROJECT ADVISORY COMMITTEE -CUM- PARTNERS MEETING)
- HARA Shohei, Director General, South Asia Department ,Japan International Cooperation Agency
- Bipul Chatterjee, CUTS International (Inaugural Session)
- Kuancheng Huang, Senior Transport Specialist, Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department, Asian Development Bank
- Arun Roy, Expert on River Engineering & IWT operations
- India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal Quadrilateral cooperation
Pressenza, March 19, 2023 - Improvement in transport connectivity key to unlock intra-regional trade potential in BBIN subregion: CUTS
KNN India, March 6, 2023 - A case for a railway-led Integrated Check Post in Haldibari
Northeast Now, September 17, 2022 - Transform Transport into Economic Artery
The Rising Nepal, September 11, 2022 - Can trade in the northeast boom with Integrated Check Posts (ICPs)?
India Narrative, March 30, 2022 - Gati Shakti to leverage data mining for infrastructure development
India Narrative, February 27, 2022 - Transforming Uttar Pradesh: An Upcoming Multi-modal Connectivity Hub
India Narrative, january 21, 2022 - PM Gati Shakti to unlock trade potential of Northeast India
NE Now, January 17, 2022 - Time to address local fears and concerns to connect the Bay of Bengal community
India Narrative, November 11, 2021 - GatiShakti master plan– the pathway to a $5 trillion economy
India Narrative, October 19, 2021 - BBIN Quad must step up economic integration–think tank
India Narrative, September 03, 2021 - A blue MMLP Quadrilateral in the BBIN sub-region
India Narrative, August 26, 2021 - Improved collaboration can help overcome project delays
Construction World, August 26, 2021 - Multimodal connectivity key to boosting trade in BBIN sub-region: Stakeholders
TBS News, August 17, 2021 - A Connectivity Game Changer
World Commerce Review, June 22, 2021 - Revive the defunct Mahishasan railway station in Assam’s Karimganj
NE Now, April 12, 2021 - Seamless connectivity imperative for recovery from pandemic in South Asian’s BBIN sub-region
Economics Times, February 26, 2021 - Enhancing Siliguri corridor for ease of trade and transit in South Asia
The Economic Times, February 20, 2021 - Ensure human dignity for a better Indo-Bangla border management
NorthEast Now, February 09, 2021 - Accelerating women’s participation in the BBIN supply chains is an imperative
Artnet, February 09, 2021 - Connectivity in South Asia: Corridor-led integration of BBIN countries mooted
The Economic Times, December 18, 2020 - Modernisation of civil aviation sector can transform connectivity in BBIN
The Economic Times, December 03, 2020 - India to provide debt service relief to Myanmar under the G20 initiative
Economics Times, October 02, 2020 - Seamless, quality infrastructure hold tremendous potential for the development of the BBIN Sub-region: CUTS
New Delhi, July 21, 2020 - Comparative and contemporary learnings are essential for Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal to shape seamless and resilient transport connectivity: CUTS
New Delhi, July 14, 2020 - Connectivity is a key factor for Eastern South Asian countries to come out of Covid-induced economic vulnerabilities: CUTS
New Delhi, July 07, 2020