Subregional Cooperation in Transportation and Communication - An investment program for the subregion could potentially include an economic corridor around the Bay of Bengal, linking ports from Chittagong to Dhaka, Mongla, Calcutta, and Haldia. It could also include a transport grid of east-west railroads and highways linking the eastern Indian hill states with West Bengal through Bangladesh, as well as north-south transport corridors linking Nepal, Bhutan, and the hill states of eastern India to ports on the Bay of Bengal. This grid could be connected to the rest of India at Calcutta through India's top priority Golden Quadrilateral project of superhighways joining Delhi, Bombay, Chennai, and Calcutta.
View full paper on Co-operation in Transport and Communication by Mr. Hans Carlsson (ADB) Integrated Transport Development: A Key to Economic Cooperation in SAGQ by Dr. Rahmatullah, Former Director, Transport Division, UN-ESCAP
Following the recommendations of the Transport Working Group, an ADTA for a subregional corridor operational efficiency study for the Transport Sector is planned for 2003. This is in addition to a TA for Transport Network Expansion which is included in Bhutan's CSP; a TA on Subregional Roads Connection, included in Nepal's CSP; and a TA on Subregional Transport Connectivity included in India's CSP.
Subregional Cooperation in Energy and Power - Energy plays a crucial role in the economic growth of the participating countries. According to current demand and supply patterns, all the countries could benefit in the long term by optimally developing and scheduling generation capacities in an integrated manner through regional cooperation. This will also help countries avoid having to build transmission grids across high mountains and major rivers. Trading of electricity would widen the resource base and the market for electricity in the region thereby facilitating development of least cost large-scale hydroprojects.
The Energy and Power Working Group has agreed on:
- ADB/USAID to assist in adapting Bangladesh's REB/PBS (Rural Electrification Board/Palli Badyut Samitis) model for application in India, Bhutan and Nepal
- ADB to arrange review of past studies on development of hydro projects in Arun Valley in Nepal with view to pursuing project (To be included in NEP CSP)
- Concept/scope of India-Bangladesh Electricity Exchange project to be reviewed and modified by a technical group composed of ADB, Bangladesh and India due to change in power situation in North-East India
- Upgrading of the Chittagong Refinery to be discussed between Bangladesh and India
Subregional Cooperation in Tourism - Experience in regional cooperation has shown that opening borders has not only provided an impetus to tourism but also trade and commerce. Likewise, growth in international tourism has a positive impact on the growth of domestic tourism. Given the relative comparative advantage of individual countries, subregional cooperation in tourism can lead to joint product development, joint marketing strategies, and joint investments in tourism infrastructure development.
View full paper on Co-operation in Tourism by Mr. William Costin, ADB
The Tourism Working Group has prioritized and recommended following programs/projects:
- Adoption of a Policy Statement by SASEC country tourism ministers on the commitment to work together
- Establishment of a SASEC Tourism Center in Kathmandu
- Formation of SASEC Tourism Sub-Working Groups for: National Tourism Organization (NTO) Heads, Heads of SASEC Airlines, Heads of Hotel Associations; Heads of Tour Operators Associations and any others as deemed necessary
- Launching a cohesive joint marketing and promotional program to position and promote SASEC as a brand, based on the theme "Share a spiritual experience in SASEC"
- Work towards a common SASEC Visa issuance and other programs to facilitate travel to and between SASEC countries
- Commission preparation of a SASEC Tourism Master Plan
- Undertaking a SASEC Tourism Sector Human Resources Development Study
- Utilization of the New Asian Highway, as backbone for overland tourist movement to and through the subregion
- Further develop and implement key projects proposed under the draft Report
- Establishment of a SASEC Tourism Investment Fund
An ADTA to prepare a tourism master plan is in the subregional program for 2003, while another advisory TA for human resource development is in the program for 2004.
Subregional Cooperation in Environment - The countries share one common ecosystem with a huge wealth of natural resources in the waters of the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna basin and a wealth of biodiversity in the Himalayas and Sundarbans. The wise use and management of environmental resources in each area would benefit the region as a whole.
The Environment Working Group has recommended, in order of priority, the following projects:
- Regional Air Quality Management Programme
- Developing a Knowledge Base Towards Strengthening Monitoring of Freshwater Pollution in South Asia
- Hazardous Waste Management
- Regional Capacity Building and Networking of Experts in the South Asia Subregion
- South Asian Conservation and Sustainable Development Corridor
Technical Assistance on Regional Air Quality Management Project is included in the Subregional Program for 2003, while, TAs for Freshwater Pollution and Hazardous Waste Management are included in the subregional program for 2004 and 2005, respectively.
Subregional Cooperation in Trade, Investment and the Private Sector - The subregion has the potential to become an important subregional growth area. Cross-border initiatives relating to trade facilitation and investment promotion can be instrumental in generating jobs, increasing subregional GNP, improving intra-subregional trade and deepening the economic fabric. While intra-subregional activities can be expected to improve through these measures, the wider impact would be the creation of an area of interest to foreign investors seeking export platforms as well as access to internal markets.
The First South Asia Business Forum and Second Meeting of the Trade, Investment and Private Sector Cooperation Working Group was held on 12-13 August 2002 in New Delhi, India. The TIPWG has adopted an Action Plan for Subregional Business Facilitation, Trade and Investment promotion, namely:
- holding SABF annual meetings to coincide with ADB's Annual Meeting
- launching a SABF web site
- initiating an SABF information campaign amongst policy makers and other stakeholders to promote and gain support for subregional cooperation
- establishing SABF business facilitation cells in each of the BBIN states
- establishing a SABF policy review committee to address urgent policy reform issues
- initiating sub-sector studies in priority areas of trade facilitation, agro-industry and processed foodstuffs, information technology, human resource development, tourism and the audiovisual industry
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