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Kathmandu Saturday January 13, 2001 Paush 29, 2057.
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Explore possibilities
It is indeed good news that Bangladesh has agreed to provide zero tariff on
Nepalese primary products. However, the Phulbari-Banglaband route, from which Nepalese
goods can have alternative access to a port, besides Calcutta, is yet to flourish due to a
lack of proper roads, among other difficulties.
The country could benefit immensely from the Phulbari-Banglaband route. It
will allow the export of Nepalese goods to third countries via a port at costs of up to
below 20 per cent than of Calcutta, the only Indian port used by Nepal. Besides this,
Nepalese products like dairy and agricultural products, will gain access to Bangladeshi
markets, increasing regional trade.
However, this route has barely been used, due to a lack of storage and
telecommunication facilities, and agents for transactions. This apart, passport and visa
requirements for travel between Bangladesh and Nepal with the escorting of vehicles in
India by the local police, is another reason cited by businessmen who preferred not to use
this route.
These existing problems should be solved, so the country can benefit from
this alternative trade route to enhance both its international and regional trade. The
recent visit of Foreign Minister Bastola to Bangladesh should have rectified many of the
shortcomings. The offer by Bangladesh to levy zero tariff on Nepalese goods is a step in
the right direction. The "on-arrival" issuing of visas to businessmen and other
additional infrastructure development should create a more favourable environment for the
proper utilization of this barely-used trade route. Although India permitted Nepalese use
of the Phulbari-Banglaband route at the time of IK Gujral’s premiership, it still has
much work to do to minimize obstructions. India itself can utilize this route for its own
benefits.
Opening up Nepalese private airlines to Bangladesh could significantly
increase the influx of potential tourists to Nepal. There are other signs of goodwill that
have come from none other than Bangladesh to increase the quotas for Nepalese medical
students in Bangladeshi institutions.
It is very important for Nepal to use the
Phulbari-Banglaband highway in order to increase our regional and international trade.
Both the Nepalese and Bangladeshi governments should work towards establishing the
necessary infrastructure for the proper utilization of the immense trade potential offered
by the Phulbari-Banglaband route. Besides, the potential for railway links between the two
countries also has to be studied in consultation with India, whose territory it has to
pass through. Further possibilities exist in the field of export of hydro-power from Nepal
to Bangladesh, which could earn significant revenue.
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