Economic growth in South Asia is projected at 8.8% in 2021 while the outlook for next year has has been raised to 7.0% from 6.6%. In Bangladesh, growth in fiscal year (FY) 2022 is projected to strengthen though still below pre-coronavirus pandemic levels. In Bhutan, gross domestic product (GDP) in FY2021 is estimated to have contracted by 3.4%; growth is forecast to rebound to 3.7% in FY2022. The projection for India is downgraded to 10.0% from the earlier projection of 11.0% in FY2021, while the outlook for FY2022 improved to 7.5% from 7.0%. Tourist arrivals in Maldives increased by 33.4% year on year in 2021. In Nepal, GDP growth is estimated at 2.3% in FY2021. In Sri Lanka, GDP growth forecasts are revised down to 3.4% in 2021 with risks from fresh pandemic outbreak and currency related stress.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2021

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Tags: ADB, COVID-19, South Asia

Various national, bilateral, trilateral, and subregional initiatives in multimodal connectivity in the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) subregion support faster and safer trade and transport. These have multiple positive impacts, including those that improve delivery of services to deal with the coronavirus pandemic. This publication presents four stories that show the impact of infrastructure connectivity in BBIN countries. It provides an assessment of connectivity initiatives as well as suggestions to enhance the positive effects of these initiatives.

Author: CUTS International

Year: 2021

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Tags: ADB, BBIN, COVID-19, Trade, Transport

The brief focuses on developing logistics in India's northeastern region and Bangladesh. To facilitate seamless transshipment movement through Chattogram port, this brief presents a framework to promote sustainable development and suggests ways to address infrastructure and regulatory gaps.

Author: Soumya Chattopadhyay, Dhruv Gadh, Manish Sharma

Year: 2021

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Tags: ADB, Bangladesh, India, Trade Facilitation

Trade and tourism along transboundary rivers bring socioeconomic opportunities in India and Bangladesh. This report for the webinar "Public Private Dialogue on India-Bangladesh Cross-border Tourism and Cruise Operations" suggests that easing security, customs, and immigration protocols while strengthening safety measures would help ensure that cruise operations are inclusive and sustainable.

Author: CUTS International

Year: 2021

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Tags: Bangladesh, India, Trade Facilitation, Tourism

Cross-border trade—through the printing, processing, exchange, and discarding of paper documents—tends to place burdens on the environment. For example, 68 documents (including copies) are required to process the export of garments from Bangladesh to India. This paper from the Asia-Pacific Research and Training Network on Trade contends that implementing paperless trade in Asia and the Pacific could reduce greenhouse gases, driven by the projected gains in efficiency in handling digital data.

Author: Yann Duval and Simon Hardy

Year: 2021

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Tags: Trade Facilitation, UNESCAP, South Asia