The National Board of Revenue (NBR) of the Government of Bangladesh is set to open the first phase of its National Single Window (NSW) services to expedite export-import trade. NBR plans to roll out the Users Acceptance Test of select certificate-licensing and permit-issuing agencies for NSW in January 2024.

Pristine Logistics & Infraprojects of India, a rail terminal operator, has entered a joint venture with Summit Alliance Port of Bangladesh, which handles over 25% of export cargo and 15% of import cargo of Bangladesh’s containerized volume.

Regular cargo movement from India’s northeastern region to the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMP) in Kolkata through Bangladesh is set to commence soon.

The Governments of Bangladesh and India held their 14th Bangladesh–India Joint Group of Customs (JGC) meeting on 21–22 August 2023 in New Delhi, India. The meeting discussed several matters of bilateral importance, including the opening of new land customs stations, easing port restrictions, development of road and rail infrastructure, pre-arrival exchange of customs data, and a bilateral agreement on customs cooperation.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the Akhaura-Agartala rail line in September 2023. The railway will reduce travel time between Agartala and Kolkata from 31 hours to 10 hours, opening up opportunities for trade, tourism, and cultural exchange.

Mr. Tipu Munshi, Commerce Minister of the Government of Bangladesh, invited Bhutan to build an economic zone in Bangladesh to boost the trade relationship between the two countries. He also encouraged businesses from Bangladesh and Bhutan to lead the trade expansion by establishing strong relationships with each other to reap the benefits of their preferential trade and transit agreements.

Mr. Amit Shah, Home Minister of the Government of India, laid the foundation stone for the second cargo gate at the Integrated Check Post (ICP) of Petrapole on 9 May 2023. This will enhance border connectivity in the busy ICP where around 30% of land-based trade between Bangladesh and India take place.

The Governments of Bangladesh and Bhutan signed the "Agreement on the Movement of Traffic-in-Transit and Protocol" on 22 March 2023 in Thimphu, Bhutan. This will open multimodal transit facilities to landlocked Bhutan, providing them access to Mongla, Payra, and Chattogram ports of Bangladesh for the movement of their imported and export-oriented goods.

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) of the Government of India has amended Circular 29/2020-Customs to allow the transshipment of Bangladesh export cargo to third countries via Delhi Air Cargo beginning 15 February 2023. Previously, air transshipment of Bangladesh export cargo to third countries was conducted only via the Kolkata air cargo complex.

Bangladesh has opened its Banglabandha Land Port for the import of acrylic yarn from Nepal, ending a 17-year-long restriction. A statutory regulatory order was issued by Bangladesh's National Board of Revenue on the matter.

The fourth and final trial run to connect Bangladesh’s Chattogram and Mongla ports to India’s northeastern states via the India–Bangladesh Protocol Route concluded on 7 November 2022, ahead of its December schedule. The trial runs were conducted to iron out issues related to transshipment of goods, and align the immigration and customs arrangements in both countries.

The 8th Commerce Secretary Level Meeting (CSLM) between Bangladesh and Bhutan endorsed the Agreement on Movement of Traffic-in-Transit and its Protocol for signing; the renewal of the memorandum of understanding on the use of inland waterways; and the signing of the amended Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) with regard to the MoU on the use of inland waterways.

ADB has committed continued support for the improvement of Bangladesh’s key infrastructures as the country carries on its path of post-pandemic recovery. ADB’s 2023–2025 lending pipeline for Bangladesh stands at approximately $9.4 billion for 44 projects. This includes development of roads and railway corridors that will be complemented by necessary reforms to facilitate inter-regional trade.

The Governments of Bangladesh and India are preparing to conduct comprehensive trial runs for the transshipment of cargo to India's northeastern regions via Bangladesh’s Chattogram and Mongla ports. The planned trial runs aim to iron out issues and align the immigration and customs arrangements in both countries.

The potential of the Siliguri corridor and its surroundings to be developed as a logistics hub for India’s northeastern region, and Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal, was emphasized by the CII at Logi Connect 2022. Developing Siliguri as a logistic hub would facilitate movement of goods to other states of India and its neighboring countries.

ADB and the Government of Bangladesh have signed a loan agreement to improve cross-border trade in Bangladesh. The $143-million policy-based loan aims to improve the volume, efficiency, predictability, and security of cross-border trade in Bangladesh.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved the SASEC Integrated Trade Facilitation Sector Development Project: Bangladesh Land Port Authority (BLPA) Part with Tk 2.17 billion (around $23.47 million) and SASEC Integrated Trade Facilitation Sector Development Project with Tk 3.13 billion (around $33.85 million).

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) of India has released guidelines allowing import of Bangladesh goods onboard sealed containers that are returning to India by rail after delivering export goods to Bangladesh.

ADB supports the improvement of efficiency, predictability, and security of Bangladesh’s cross-border trade, approving a $143 million loan package that will contribute in accelerating the country’s growth. Bangladesh: SASEC Integrated Trade Facilitation Sector Development Program includes a $90 million policy-based loan and a $53 million project loan.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) of Government of Bangladesh and the World Trade Organization (WTO) held a meeting on 16 March 2022 on the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement. The NBR highlighted the roadmap developed to modernize Bangladesh’s border customs ports. The NBR has formed a customs legal framework that complies with international standards, and is developing an e-payment system and would adopt an ECTS.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) of Government of Bangladesh and the World Trade Organization (WTO) held a meeting on 16 March 2022 on the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement. The NBR highlighted the roadmap developed to modernize Bangladesh’s border customs ports. The NBR has formed a customs legal framework that complies with international standards, and is developing an e-payment system and would adopt an ECTS.

Bangladesh's foreign trade volume will increase by 50%, cargo shipment-and customs-clearance time will decrease by 50%, and smuggling will be prevented if the Government of Bangladesh undertakes customs reform and improvement in trade facilitation, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) noted to the Government of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih held bilateral talks on 23 December 2021 at the President’s Office in Malé, Maldives. They discussed matters of mutual interest and emphasized the importance of signing a Preferential Trade Agreement.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) of the Government of Bangladesh has drafted a proposal to upgrade trade infrastructure and three priority land ports to improve trade with its neighbors in the subregion. The NBR submitted the proposal for the project “Integrated Trade Facilitation Development under the SASEC Development Program” to the country’s Planning Commission.

The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and the Nepal Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) signed a memorandum of cooperation. Mr. Tapan Kanti Ghosh, Commerce Secretary of the Government of Bangladesh, spoke as the chief guest. In his remarks, he noted that the Preferential Trade Agreement between Bangladesh and Nepal is in the final stage.

The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and the Nepal Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) signed a memorandum of cooperation. Mr. Tapan Kanti Ghosh, Commerce Secretary of the Government of Bangladesh, spoke as the chief guest. In his remarks, he noted that the Preferential Trade Agreement between Bangladesh and Nepal is in the final stage.

Bangladesh's trade with its neighbors accounts for only 10% of national trade. Mr. Yasushi Tanaka, Principal Transport Specialist, Transport and Communications Division, South Asia Department, ADB, explains how small investments in land customs stations and land ports, trade facilitation policy reforms, and cooperation between government agencies can help make Bangladesh a trade and transport hub in South Asia. This commentary first appeared on the ADB blog.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has directed states that share borders with Bangladesh to make vaccination for truckers a priority.

Bangladesh is looking to produce resort wear and leisure apparel for Maldives. Mr. Faruque Hassan, President of BGMEA discussed the potential of tapping this Maldives market with Mr. Shiruzimath Sameer, Bangladesh High Commissioner to Maldives.

Import of goods from India to Bangladesh by trains have seen a significant rise during the coronavirus pandemic. To serve the growing demand for imports by rail and smoothen the transit of goods, work on a double railway line from the Petrapole port in India to the Benapole railway station in Bangladesh has commenced.

Import of goods from India to Bangladesh by trains have seen a significant rise during the coronavirus pandemic. To serve the growing demand for imports by rail and smoothen the transit of goods, work on a double railway line from the Petrapole port in India to the Benapole railway station in Bangladesh has commenced.

The Government of Bangladesh plans to begin negotiations with Sri Lanka to sign a preferential trade agreement by July. Both countries aim to increase their bilateral trade volume.

The National Board of Revenue of the Government of Bangladesh has finalized the draft rules on the faster release and disposal of perishable goods aimed at keeping the quality and standards of perishable goods. The rules specify provisions to release goods within 48 hours of the submission of bill of entry of imported goods.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB), in consultation with Bangladesh’s National Board of Revenue (NBR), has prepared an action plan in line with the Customs Modernization Plan 2019-2022 of Bangladesh,. ADB supports the improvement of Bangladesh's trade facilitation environment.

India Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a state visit to Bangladesh on 26-27 March 2021 to join celebrations for the golden jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence and the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Bangladesh and India are also commemorating 50 years since the establishment of their diplomatic relations.

The Governments of Bangladesh and Nepal signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Strengthening Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Cooperation on 22 March 2021. SPS, as well as technical barriers to trade (TBT), serves as critical nontariff measures that constrain trade in the SASEC subregion.

A multimodal transport project initiative of the Ministry of Civil Aviation of the Government of India, the Airports Authority of India Cargo Logistics and Allied Services Company Limited, and SpiceXpress, the air cargo division of SpiceJet, transported 48 tonnes of cargo from Dhaka, Bangladesh, to Spain.

Mr. Tipu Munshi, Minister of Commerce of the Government of Bangladesh, called for more discussions between Bangladesh and India on the removal of non-tariff barriers to further grow their bilateral trade. There is ample opportunity to boost trade by removing non-tariff barriers. Improving customs facilities in bordering areas could also further increase bilateral trade between the two countries.

A webinar organized by CUTS International on 30 October 2020 deliberated the findings of the project, ‘Gender Dimensions of Trade Facilitation in the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) Subregion.’ The work undertaken by CUTS reveals that the absence of gender responsive trade facilitation measures helps exacerbate gender inequality.

A trial run for the first export consignment from Bangladesh to Tripura, India, through inland waterways was conducted on 3–5 September 2020. The barge traveled 93 kilometers along the Meghna-Gomati river route carrying 50 tons of cement.

The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) proposed a Bilateral Value Chain Initiative (BVCI) as a way forward in Bangladesh-India business relations. Under a proposed memorandum of understanding between FBCCI and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), raw materials from India will be transported to Bangladesh for production.

Cross-border trade between India and Bangladesh through the Phulbari land port (India) and the Banglabandha land port (Bangladesh) resumed on 13 June 2020. On the day the land port reopened, 63 trucks carrying boulders went into Bangladesh. Boulders are mainly exported to Bangladesh from India and Bhutan through Phulbari.

Bilateral trade resumed through the Petrapole Integrated Check Post at the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal on 7 June 2020. As safety protocol, drivers from India are only allowed up to 500 meters inside the Bangladesh port area. They are given personal protective equipment (PPEs), hand gloves, and masks. They need to remain in their vehicles during unloading. Empty trucks need to be sanitized.

Bangladesh and India signed the second addendum to the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade to add two new water routes and 10 ports of call between the two countries. The new routes and ports will improve connectivity, facilitate trade, and spur economic development.

The Government of Bangladesh will introduce procedures to fast-track processing of cross-border trade in Bangladeshi ports. Beginning July, Bangladesh will implement a pre-arrival processing of import documents. Once this is in place, cargo shippers will need to submit an import general manifest and bill of lading to the Customs authority for processing once they depart a port en route to Bangladesh’s ports.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will support trade facilitation in Bangladesh under the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) program. A proposed project aims to ease transborder and regional trade through infrastructure development and regulatory reforms.

Border haats or rural markets along the border of Bangladesh and India help to strengthen ties between the two countries, both culturally and economically. These border haats benefit local communities by providing opportunities for livelihood and social interaction.

How efficiently a country moves physical goods across and within borders determines how it participates in international markets. This editorial from The Financial Express suggests areas that Bangladesh needs to focus on to improve logistics performance, enhance participation in global trade, and stimulate economic growth.

The 9th Annual Ministerial Meeting of Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) on Trade and Transport was held to discussed key issues in transport, transit cooperation, trade, and trade facilitation among LLDCs. Bhutan and Nepal sent delegations to the Meeting. They highlighted initiatives being taken to connect their countries to the global market, including bilateral agreements in the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal subregion and the SASEC Trade Facilitation Program.

The Bangladesh National Board of Revenue (NBR) will act as lead agency for the planned National Single Window (NSW) for trade facilitation in Bangladesh, shared NBR Chairman Md. Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan. This initiative is another Government undertaking in line with the implementation of the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).

India led a test run of the first container freight train from Kolkata, India, to Dhaka, Bangladesh on 3-4 April 2018. The rail service will be the first container train service between the two countries. It will reduce cost and transport time, thereby improving trade between India and Bangladesh.

Bangladesh is looking to expand the market share of its goods in Nepal. Ms. Mashfee Binte Shams, Bangladeshi Ambassador to Nepal, reviews the opportunities for Bangladesh manufacturers and explains what her country is doing to promote its products in Nepal. This interview of Ms. Shams, conducted by Ibrahim Hossain Ovi, first appeared on Dhaka Tribune.

Exporters from Nepal shipped over 35 truckloads of ginger to Bangladesh between mid-December 2017 to January 2018. This volume of ginger traded by Nepal to Bangladesh is the largest it has exported to a third country in over a decade. The Treaty of Transit between India and Nepal facilitates movement of Nepal's third country trade with and through Bangladesh, via India.

Nepal has decided to join the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) grid interconnection, a move meant to help facilitate trade in electricity and take full advantage of available energy sources. Nepal is expected to sign an MOU to join the grid interconnection at the Third BIMSTEC Energy Ministers' Meeting.

This commentary by Ms. Ferdaus Ara Begum, Chief Executive Officer, Business Initiative Leading Development, highlights the need to improve standards regulation to increase Bangladesh's competitiveness in the export-based manufacturing industry. Recommendations include raising capacity of the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institute to meet global standards in food safety, and involving the private sector in standard setting consultations.

Mr. Prabir De, Professor at the Research and Information System for Developing Countries, discusses how the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) subregional grouping’s focus to bridge connectivity gaps is crucial to reducing poverty in the region. He highlights the pressing need to begin implementing comprehensive trade facilitation and connectivity measures in the BBIN subregion, and remarks how success of the BBIN initiative is important to move broader regional integration initiative

The Nepal-Bangladesh Youth Conference 2017 was held in Kathmandu, Nepal, to discuss possible ways to increase bilateral trade between Nepal and Bangladesh. The environment and the economic and business sectors were among the topics tackled at the conference.

Mr. Harsh Vardan Shringla, India's High Commissioner to Bangladesh reiterated India's commitment to remove non-tariff barriers (NTBs) through the standard-setting bodies of India and Bangladesh. The Bureau of Indian Standards and the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution have begun cooperating on certification of goods, to resolve NTB-related export restrictions.

Mr. Abdul Matlub Ahmad, former President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry, expressed confidence in the business relationship between Bangladesh and India, saying it is better right now than any time in the past. He encouraged the trade and business community to utilize the friendship between the two countries to promote development.

A delegation of the India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IBCCI) met with Mr. Shajahan Khan, Shipping Minister, Bangladesh, to discuss trade bottlenecks in Bangladesh-India land ports. Infrastructural and administrative bottlenecks in land and sea ports of Bangladesh and India slows down the trade process. Long delays for trucks to pass through Customs, for example, results in shortages of warehouses and trucks, and skyrocketing prices in truck rentals.

Bangladesh has the potential to become a transport hub for India, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Myamar, according to Mr. AMA Muhith, Finance Minister, Bangladesh. Turning Bangladesh into a regional and transshipment hub would enhance economic cooperation and result in collective economic growth for the countries, Mr. Muhith said at the SASEC Finance Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi, India.

A railway network linking India and its neighboring countries, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Nepal, is being considered by the Government of India, according to India Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu. Developing railway connectivity will increase employment, interaction, trade, and tourism.

The interactive session “Harnessing Regional Cooperation in South Asia” held at the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum discussed how regional economic cooperation is helping accelerate growth and development. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina emphasized continuous initiatives, in economic cooperation in South Asia, including SAFTA and SASEC. India Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman lauded initiatives to boost connectivity.

India is set to join the Transports Internationaux Routiers (TIR), or International Road Transport Convention in its bid to establish seamless trade connectivity with Southeast Asia and Eurasian countries. Through the TIR Convention, India could access Eurasia via the International North-South Transport Corridor. TIR would also give India an advantage in trade with fellow signatories of the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicles Agreement.

Bangladesh, China, India, Laos, South Korea, and Sri Lanka, member countries of the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA), moved to expand trade and boost growth in the region by agreeing to increase the number of products under preferential tariff treatment to 10,677 items from 4,270 at the 4th session of the APTA Ministerial Council.

Bangladesh has adopted the mantra "Digital Bangladesh" in its push to reduce trade costs, by implementing paperless trade through an electronic system. The country has already launched an online trade portal; the Central Bank is successfully conducting electronic transactions; and the National Board of Revenue has also enhanced its paperless capacity. Asjadul Kibria, Bangladeshi economic journalist, provides the following commentary.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence under the Central Board of Excise and Customs organized the 4th Regional Customs Enforcement Meeting in New Delhi, India, as part of its Founding Day celebrations. The Heads of Customs Enforcement from Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Mauritius and Maldives were invited to participate in the said Meeting, which discussed issues of mutual concern, noted the need to share information and activate channels of coordination.

The SASEC project portfolio has surpassed the $9 billion mark with the December 2016 approval of Nepal’s SASEC Roads Improvement Project, worth $256.5 million. There are now 44 SASEC investment projects worth a cumulative $9.13 billion. During 2016, seven projects have been approved for a total of $2.37 billion.

Government officials of Bangladesh and Nepal will conduct a joint survey on a potential road route under the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicle Agreement (MVA), starting from5 December 2016. It will check road conditions, length of travel, and necessary infrastructure to ensure seamless movement of vehicles.

EPing, an online alert system for updates on the latest information on regulatory requirements for international trade, was launched by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the World Trade Organization, and the International Trade Centre. The system enables access to WTO member notifications on TBT and SPS measures, and facilitates dialogue among the public and private sector in the early stages of potential trade issues.

In recent years, countries in South Asia have shown increasing commitment to deepening regional cooperation through bilateral agreements and regional initiatives, including the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal Motor Vehicles Agreement. This commentary by Ms. Nahela Nowshin of the Centre for Policy Dialogue discusses the importance of regional initiatives in South Asia, as well as the need to promote dialogue on matters of regional cooperation and connectivity.

A new Customs inspection and verification procedure is changing how trade is conducted among South Asian countries. Through the BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement, cargo and passenger vehicles may now pass through the four countries more smoothly. The simplified process greatly benefits apparel-centric economies, making South Asia more competitive for both global and domestic brands.

The Asian Development Bank is helping countries in the SASEC subregion harmonize two technical non-tariff measures, Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), to enhance intraregional trade. Under this initiative, a national diagnostic study on SPS and TBT will be conducted in the six SASEC member countries, to be led by core committees formed by the six governments, in consultation with trade experts.

The Government of Bangladesh will establish a National Single Window to simplify cross-border trade procedures and improve Bangladesh's ease of doing business. The System will facilitate import, export, and transit transactions using an electronic portal that links all relevant agencies for cross-border trade.

A new chapter in trade relations and people-to-people contact between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal (BBIN) began on 5 September 2016, as a Bangladeshi cargo truck rolled into the Customs Inland Container Depot, Patparganj, Delhi. Though the vehicle entered India through Petrapole Land Customs Station, Customs clearance was done at the ICD, Patparganj, as part of a trial run of the BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement.

Finance Ministers from the eight South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) member states are pushing for the formation of a South Asian Economic Union (SAEU) to ensure larger inflow of investments, higher trade volumes, and energy generation. The ministers highlighted the need to fast-track the formation of the SAEU to help boost the inflow of investments and trade volumes.

The Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA) is set to boost infrastructure development in the BBIN subregion. Bangladesh will see significant increase in cargo movement, enabling India to access its Northeast region, and helping facilitate third-country trade of landlocked Bhutan and Nepal. However, major investments in infrastructure are needed to maximize Bangladesh’s potential to become a transport and transshipment hub.

The National Trade Portal and National Single Window are important components of the World Trade Organization's Trade Facilitation Agreement (WTO TFA). This commentary by Ms. Ferdous Ara Begum, Chief Executive Officer, Business Initiative Leading Development of Bangladesh, discusses how these could improve trade, gives an update on Bangladesh's initiatives toward ratifying the WTO TFA, and recommends a region-wide Single Window for South Asia.

Development of infrastructure at Sheola, Thegamukh, and Bhomra land ports under the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal (BBIN) initiative for regional connectivity will increase economic activity, according to a feasibility study report jointly undertaken by India and the People’s Republic of China. The report was presented at a National Public Consultation Workshop in Bangladesh on 11 August 2016.

South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) investment projects increased to a cumulative $7.66 billion in the areas of transport, energy, trade facilitation, and ICT with the recent approval of India’s Bihar New Ganga Bridge Project. To date, 40 SASEC-supported projects are helping member countries strengthen regional connectivity infrastructure, promote economic growth, and foster regional cooperation. In addition, there are now 71 technical assistance projects worth $66.14 mi

Implementation of the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicle Agreement (MVA) may start in December, according to Bangladesh Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, while speaking at a closing ceremony of a drivers' training on road safety.

India Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina jointly inaugurated the Petrapole Integrated Checkpost (ICP). Prime Minister Modi lauded the event as an important milestone in India-Bangladesh relations, providing a boost to bilateral connectivity and trade, while Bangladesh Prime Minister Hasina expressed hope that the ICP will further enhance good relations between the two countries

Mr. Hun Kim, Director General, South Asia Department, ADB, describes how partnership of 6 South Asian countries through the ADB-supported South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Program is helping propel economic growth in South Asia, amidst an uncertain regional and global economic climate, by working to increase trade volumes to reduce the number of impoverished people in the region.

Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) signed a landmark Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA) meant to allow smooth passage of goods and passenger vehicles in each other’s territories. In this blog post, Sanjay Kathuria, Lead Economist and Coordinator, South Asia Regional Integration, Trade and Competitiveness Global Practice, World Bank, asks if South Asia is truly ready for such a regional agreement.

BBIN Business Forum states that Customs duties and taxation must be harmonized in order to improve trade among Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal. Following the successful signing of the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal Motor Vehicles Agreement (BBIN MVA), the countries must now pursue ways to make the movement of goods and people easier.

The interactive SASEC Corridor Map on the SASEC Program website and SASEC Mobile App is your gateway to SASEC projects. View projects by sector—energy, transport, trade facilitation, and ICT—or by corridor using the interactive map, to learn how the SASEC program is helping promote regional prosperity in South Asia. The map also includes project information and links to SASEC project pages.

Meetings between Customs officials from SASEC member countries reaps benefits for the SASEC subregion and beyond, providing a platform for officers to decide the next steps in improving cross-border coordination and cooperation to resolve bottlenecks for trade at the borders. An Asian Development Bank (ADB) blog post by Ms. Rose McKenzie, Senior Regional Cooperation Specialist, Regional Cooperation and Operations Coordination, South Asia Regional Department, ADB, is shared.

Launch of the Bangladesh-India transshipment facility concluded with the successful delivery of steel rods from Kolkata, India to Agartala, the capital of Tripura, through Akhaura land port in Bangladesh, onboard Bangladeshi trucks. The facility will allow India to deliver goods to the northeast region in an estimated 10-day time, and help boost trade in the region by enabling Bangladesh to transport goods to Nepal and Bhutan via India, and give India access to Myanmar via Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicles Agreement is a landmark framework agreement signed by the transport ministers of the BBIN countries last June 2015 in Thimphu, Bhutan. Mr. Ronald Butiong, Director, Regional Cooperation and Operations Coordination, South Asia Regional Department, Asian Development Bank (ADB), describes how it is paving the way for a more integrated and more prosperous South Asian region in an ADB blog entry.

A World Customs Organization (WCO) Subregional Workshop on Transit Corridors in South Asia considered improvement of regional transit regimes in the region. Progress of the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicle Agreement, as well as national experiences of Japan, Switzerland and Malawi in implementing efficient transit regimes, was discussed.

The Intergovernmental Agreement on Dry Ports, developed with support of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, entered into force on 23 April 2016, after 8 of the 17 signatory countries, including Bangladesh and India, deposited approvals of Agreement. The Agreement aims to promote international recognition of dry ports, facilitating investment in dry port infrastructure and enhancing their operational efficiency.

Dr. Selim Reihan notes that drivers of political economy can impact the region's integration agenda. In this essay, Dr. Raihan highlights the importance of exploring the political economy of regional integration to generate a better assessment of the factors driving and constraining regional integration, and create broader awareness among stakeholders to stimulate a more realistic and effective regional policy design and processes.

Dr. Pritam Banerjee, Senior Director, Corporate Public Policy (South Asia), Deutsche Post DHL, reported that the first trial run of cargo vehicles on the Kolkata-Dhaka-Agartala route under the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) sub-regional framework, enabled a better understanding of future needs and solutions for safe and efficient movement of cargo across BBIN borders.

The Government of Bangladesh is preparing to ratify the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), which will enable efficient and speedy flow of goods across borders and make doing business less costly. Bangladesh aims to ratify the TFA soon, to allow the country to enjoy trade benefits available to least developed countries.

Direct cargo shipments between Bangladesh-India were launched on 15 March 2016, with the first vessel sailing from Chittagong Port, Bangladesh to Krishnapatnam Port, India on 17 March 2016, carrying cotton and textiles. The service reduces transport time significantly—from 25 to 4 days to carry goods from Bangladesh to India, with goods no longer having to pass through Colombo, Sri Lanka, or Singapore.

The Government of Bangladesh has launched the Bangladesh Trade Portal, a one-stop shop for information on conducting trade with Bangladesh. The website offers useful information on exporting goods from, and importing commercial goods into Bangladesh, to promote the country's trade sector. Bangladesh Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed said the portal marks a milestone for business and traders.

An immigration facility in the Banglabandha-Phulbari Land Port between Bangladesh and India—jointly inaugurated on 18 February 2016—is expected to ease people-to-people connectivity between the two countries. Strategically located on the Asian Highway, this border-crossing point is expected to boost trade and commerce not only between Bangladesh and India, but also with Bhutan and Nepal.

The Bangladesh National Board of Revenue (NBR) organized a seminar on digital Customs and progressive engagement on the occasion of International Customs Day. In his address, Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith said the proposed Customs Act 2015 will be placed for approval of the national parliament in the next budget session. It will automate and modernize Customs and business procedures for export-import by providing NBR with a broad legal basis for implementation of an electronic Customs

The third meeting of the Joint Working Group on Subregional Cooperation between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) on Connectivity and Transit and Water Resources Management and Power/Hydropower deliberated new initiatives for deepening cooperation. Discussion centered around progress made under the BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement and the proposed BBIN Rail Agreement.

Chittagong Seaport attained its 2016 target of handling 2 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) of containers one year early. This announcement was made by the Chittagong Port Authority on 3 January 2015 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, with Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan as chief guest. According to Minister Khan, Chittagong Port's container holding capacity increased to 40,000 TEU, owing to a rise in container handling demand, which grew by 700,000 TEU in the last 3 years.

South Asia is set to play a strategic role in Asian integration. This commentary by Mr. Ganeshan Wignaraja, Advisor in the Asian Development Bank’s Economic Research and Regional Cooperation Department, shares how linking emerging South Asia with the more developed member countries of the Association of South East Asian Nations will transform regional economies through development of regional connectivity, and create a huge regional market of 2-3 billion people.

A 2-day meeting between Bangladesh and Bhutan headed by Commerce Secretaries discussed several bilateral concerns, including increasing products on the duty-free import/export list of both countries, potential hydropower imports from Bhutan to Bangladesh, Customs cooperation, and road and water transport agreement.

A seminar organized by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) discussed 'Trade Facilitation: Opportunities and Challenges for Sustainable Growth' in Bangladesh. Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister Dr. Mashiur Rahman emphasized that trade facilitation measures should boost trade and promote investments. Dr. Khairuzzaman Mozumder, Deputy Chief of USAID, identified remaining key challenges in implementing the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement in the country.

The exchange of export-related data between designated adjacent border crossing points in the SASEC subregion commenced on 30 November 2015. This SASEC Customs Subgroup Subregional Project promotes the exchange of documents at five major border-crossing points between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal, to promote future electronic exchange of data and build a better risk profile of traders.

Bangladesh and India signed the Standard Operating Procedure to operationalize the 'Agreement on Coastal Shipping' formalized in June 2015. This Agreement will provide huge savings in logistics costs for cargo transport between the two countries, improving bilateral trade. The two parties have also agreed to sign an agreement on passenger and cruise vessels.

A Meeting between India's Minister for External Affairs and Governors of the North East region covered key aspects of the 'Act East Policy', including transport connectivity, border trade, and regional production and value chains. The Meeting stressed the need for better connectivity of the North East to a wider region, including Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Thailand, and discussed ongoing and planned cross-border connectivity projects.

Read a commentary on the implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) in Bangladesh. The TFA provides a series of measures to facilitate smooth and efficient movement of goods across borders inspired by best practices from around the world. It is expected to benefit all members of the World Trade Organization, including Bangladesh.

Bangladesh businessmen envisage increased trade with India if constraints on land port infrastructure are addressed. Land ports and land Customs stations play a significant role in the country's trade within the subregion. Current limitations in infrastructure, communication, and excessive documentation create hurdles for trade efficiency.

A new master plan outlining a long-term vision for Chittagong Port has been unveiled in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Development under the plan is expected to increase port efficiency and is estimated to cost around $1.9 billion. The master plan financed through SASEC Program technical assistance funded by the Asian Development Bank.

The Government of Bangladesh will develop the country's land ports to spur regional trade, undertaking around $84.76 million worth of projects to improve land port infrastructure, warehouse facilities, Customs control procedures, and the institutional and regulatory framework. This initiative will facilitate more efficient movement of goods by cutting border-crossing times to and from Bangladesh, toward Bhutan, India, and Nepal.

The National Board of Revenue of Bangladesh is set to present the Customs Act of 2015 for passage in the September parliamentary session. The new Customs Law, which aims to facilitate smooth international trade, reduce time and cost of doing business, and create a better investment climate, will replace the existing 1969 Customs Law.

A Meeting of the Joint Group of Customs of Bangladesh and Bhutan held in Thimphu, Bhutan on 26-27 July agreed to share export-import data from Phuentsholing and Burimari Customs stations. The Meeting also decided to consider opening Bangladesh's Chilmari and Roumari river routes to increase access between the two countries.

Customs officials from Bangladesh and Bhutan met on 27 July 2015 in Thimphu, Bhutan to discuss removal of barriers that restrict bilateral trade, and the sharing of import and export data between the two countries. As important trading partners, Bangladesh and Bhutan are working to resolve non-tariff barriers to enhance trade efficiency and boost the exchange of goods.

An inter-ministerial meeting in Bangladesh reached consensus to set up a National Single Window (NSW) to facilitate cross-border trade and reduce the cost of doing business. The NSW will use a virtual system through which different organizations will be interconnected. The National Board of Revenue's Customs wing will be lead agency for the NSW.

Bhutanese trucks carrying import/export cargo are now able to enter Bangladesh via India, according to Bangladesh Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed during a visit to Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay on 7 December 2014. The new agreement will allow trucks to carry products directly from Bangladesh for import to Bhutan.

The Asian Development Bank’s South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Program will finance key infrastructure projects worth $492 million under its country operations business plan: the second Bangladesh-India electrical grid interconnection ($105 million), Dohazari-Cox’s Bazar railway link ($217 million), and road and trade facilitation ($170 million).

The World Economic Forum's Global Enabling Trade Report: 2014 offers a tool to monitor progress on implementing measures for the Trade Facilitation Agreement. It provides insights on how countries in South Asia can significantly gain from the $1 trillion boost the Trade Facilitation Agreement is expected to bring to the global economy.

Bangladesh's Chittagong Port recorded a rise of 10.46% in container handling during fiscal year 2013-2014. This statistic counts as Chittagong Port's biggest growth in terms of cargo handled. ADB approved the Chittagong Port Trade Facilitation Project in October 2004 to increase the capacity of its container terminal.

ADB is providing $48 million to help goods move more smoothly in and out of Bangladesh Bhutan and Nepal.