Indo-Bangla Trade Assessment- Phase II (IBTA-II)

To Achive:-

OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

Motor
Vehicle Movement

Sanitary
and Phyto Sanitary Measures

Border
Haats

Study  of current situation
of transportation between the two countries and to know
the deficiencies in administration of cargo movement;

Study of current situation
of prevailing barriers to trade related to sanitary
measures and standardisation;

Study of current situation
of the operating border haats with view to assess the
benefits (social and economic) arising from them;

Review of the drafted Motor
Vehicle Agreement, so as to assess its strength and
reach

Collection of  information
on the level of awareness on the significance of SPS
measures among relevant stakeholders and the government;

Review of  present policy
on border haats followed by other countries in order to
understand the scope of improvement;

Assessment of  the outcomes
and benefits arising from signing this agreement;

Consensus building
 regarding the benefits of the agreement to the
governments and stakeholders from both the countries;

Collection of views and
recommendations from the government and agencies
involved on the same subject and to identify potential
locations for replicating haats;

Dissemination of
recommendations for operationalising this agreement.

Advocacy to bring together
relevant stakeholders and government towards drafting
this agreement

Dissemination of policy
measures so as to encourage the initiative of
replicating border haats.

ACTIVITIES

OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

Literature review

(October 2013- December 2013)

• 
  It will help to recognize the current situation about
  the Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary measures and the
  restriction on motor vehicle movement between India
  and Bangladesh;

• 
  Comparative study on impacts on frugalities based on
  these two issues between the countries who have
  adopted these agreements and India-Bangladesh;

• The
  benefits arising from signing these two agreements
  between Bangladesh and India.

Project
Launch Meeting

(November 2013)

• To
  present and discuss the finding of the previous study
  on “Enhancing Trade and Regional Economic Integration
  between India and Bangladesh”;

• To
  launch and present a brief about the new research
  topic “Need for Cross-Border Transport Facilitation &
  Mutual Recognition of Standards between Bangladesh and
  India”;

• To
  discuss the need and thrust of the topic to push the
  agenda further

Project Advisory Committee (PAC) Meeting-I

(November 2013)

• 
  This will help in getting guidance from experts and
  officials for designing, planning and implementation
  of the project.

Field Survey

(December 2013- February 2014)

• 
  It will helpful to better understanding of the real
  situation;

• 
  The actual problems faced by traders and related
  stakeholders in respect to transportation and
  standardisation.

• 
  To know the level of awareness among the stakeholders
  about the international standards;

• 
  To understand their perspective on the possible
  benefits that can result from the bilateral agreements
  on MVA and SPS;

• 
  To identify potential locations for replicating border
  haats along the boundary of India and Bangladesh.
  

Focused Dialogues

(January 2014 – March 2014)

• 
  To discuss the need and benefits of signing the two
  agreements through grouped dialogues;

• 
  To know the reasons responsible in the delay of
  signing these agreements through knowledgeable and
  adept group discussions.

Interim Meeting with Bangladesh counterpart

(March 2014)

This meeting will be conducted at Bangladesh with
support from Bangladesh counterpart (Centre for Policy
Dialogue)

• 
  Research finding on the work done so far will be
  discussed by CUTS and CPD;

• 
  This will help in cross-fertilisation of each other’s
  work areas.

Inter-Ministerial Meetings

(April 2014 – June 2014)

These meeting will include participation of relevant
ministries and department from Government of India and
Government of Bangladesh.

• 
  To know the level of understanding on the issue among
  them;

• 
  To know the reasons of delay in signing of the two
  agreements;

• 
  To make them aware of the research findings and
  estimated benefit (in terms of cost) of mutually
  recognising the standards and cross border movement of
  motor vehicle.

PAC  Meeting II

(July 2014)

•  To
  present research finding of CUTS;

• 
  To discuss the problems faced (if any) while doing
  research;

• 
  To get expert advice and suggestions from the members;

• 
  To formulate the key advocacy elements (Elevated
  Statement)

• 
  To form the crux of policy recommendations. 

Dissemination Meeting

(August 2014)

This will be a joint meeting where government and
private sector will participate together. Both CUTS and
CPD will organise it. Agenda will be:

• 
  To present a set of viable policy recommendations;

• 
  To facilitate the signing of Motor Vehicle Agreement
  and drafting of an agreement on Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary
  measures.