Recent trends in globalisation offer tremendous economic opportunities for employment and growth in Bangladesh. However, the degree to which these opportunities may benefit Bangladesh will depend significantly on the connectivity, efficiency and speed of different transport modes. Situated at astrategic location between the Southeast Asia and South Asia regions, Bangladesh has opportunities to act as a 'transport hub' for these regions. In this context, an initial transit agreement between Bangladesh and Nepal in 1976 opened the opportunity for Bangladesh to enter the global road transport network in the sub-continent. The formation of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in December 1985 further promotedregional co-operation and linkages for Bangladesh in transport, trade, agriculture, science, research and related fields. More recently, Bangladeshmade separate transit agreements (road, rail, water and use of ports) with the SAARC countries of Nepal, India, and Bhutan, and separately with Myanmar. Bangladesh has designated six points of entry and exit with Nepal for the movement of traffic-in-transit through her two ports and other territory, by all means of transportation. With Bhutan, there are six points ofentry and exit in Bhutan and eight points of exit and entry in Bangladesh, for conducting trade between Bhutan and Bangladesh. Bangladesh imports amajor share of its agricultural commodities and agriculture based industrial products from India. To support this trade, Bangladesh has opened 13 road-based traffic-in-transit points of entry and exit with India. Recently, Bangladesh has planned to construct a road between Myanmar and Bangladesh to promote trade and cooperation. Bangladesh is linked to the SAARC region by variety of transport modes. There are many Land Customs Stations (about 181) on the borders for facilitating import and export trade with neighbouring countries by road and rail. Bangladesh is increasingly aware of the importance of intercontinental and international transport corridors. Transport forms a critically important part of the Bangladesh economy and plays a significant role in the social and economic development. Some 12 per cent of GDP and about 20 per cent of the annual development budget is spent on transport. The transport industry employs approximately 9.4 per cent of those in employment. Areas opened through land ports and road infrastructure show increases in employment and income, improving quality of life. Moreover, agglomeration of township, business and other social and economic activities has taken place at the points of traffic-in-transit. For the covering abstract see ITRD E139491.
Samenvatting