A rare gesture from Bangladesh!

The most cordial and fruitful conclusion of the Commerce Secretary level talks between His Majesty's Government of Nepal and the Republic of Bangladesh that ended last week is a clear indication that the two neighbors are now maturing into real and genuine friends indeed. The term "fruitful" is not loosely used here, it really has some subtle connotation in this regard and thus implies that there was no such contentious issue or whatsoever between the delegates of the two sides. It was out and out friendly and was carried out in an amicable environment that did not see the slightest of disagreement. This attitude demonstrated by both the parties is a harbinger of some golden days that may herald in an age of brighter socio-economic relationship between the two friendly neighbors, provided that Nepal and Bangladesh move forward by honestly implementing the agreed upon policies and programs that cover expansion of trade, commerce and tourism sector. Else, this will be yet another round of talks that made no worthwhile achievements than the vacationing instincts of the participants. This will be an another tale of failure as that of the high-sounding program of the SAARC that has long been forgotten by the member states. Let the two sisters be serious on this accord!

Nepal showed some diplomatic etiquette by not pushing the subject of equal tariff status as that of Bhutan into a contentious topic. Bhutan has been enjoying an especial provision in Bangladesh so far as trade tariff is concerned which Nepal wants in her case as well. But Bangladeshi counterpart has declined the request citing that Bhutan is a relatively smaller country and has scanty amount of exports to Bangladesh which is unlikely to hamper the latter's domestic industries. The Bangladeshi side instead proposes to prepare a list of export items in which she might provide some greater percentage of tariff concessions or even it could go to the extent of zero-tariff. This has to be reciprocated by Nepal indeed. If this is what the neighboring government wants to implement then it is of course going to help Nepal a great deal in promoting the export business in Nepal's insurgence-ridden economy, especially in the face of the current deplorable economic trend. This will boost the export prospects of both of these South Asian nations. Not only Nepal, but also both will equally reap from this new scheme.

The import and the export of important foreign goods to Nepal and from Nepal to B'desh or to third country-bound imports and exports will be pretty facilitated by yet another outcome of the talks. Nepalese import items have had to suffer high tariffs in the past but this move will relax it for the time being. Furthermore, the true SAARC spirit will be on display when our neighbor will assist in establishing a Nepalese office at the Mangla port and that too with a free of cost plot provided by the Bangladeshi government. The decision of providing 15 day free of cost of warehouse facility for Nepalese import or even export items will add yet another dimension in cementing the mutual ties between the two countries. The most lucrative agreement has been that Bangladesh has accepted to grant 50 percent discount to the Nepali goods in transit at Mongla port from immediate effect. This would not only make the Nepali goods cost effective but also encourage the Nepali businessmen to use Mongla port.

Another important outcome of the talks was the proposed direct air linkages between these two countries with struggling economies. If materialized, it will open up new economical avenues in not a distant future. The direct air service will bring the two economies closer by an easier transportation of the peoples and goods. Thus, it will open up a whole lot of financial prospects that may go a long way in relieving the already strained Nepali market. Nepali goods will find a pocket market in neighboring B'desh and vice versa. Moreover, the direct air service might be economically helpful in another respect – by promoting tourism. Frequent flights will attract the outbound Bangladeshi tourists to the scenic beauties of pastoral Nepal and might be a step forward in revamping the Nepalese tourism industry. If we could attract the Indian tourists then why not the Bangladeshi ones? Perhaps, we were oblivious of this prospect as yet! Similarly, Nepali bush lovers can watch the famous Sundar Ban, which we are told, is one of the loveliest and well kept forests in South Asia with the Royal Bengal tigers.

Now, both the countries will do well if they sincerely start processes to implement the mutually planned out measures. In particular, Nepalese government should start an extensive homework in order to churn out plans for finding out the feasibility of initiating direct flights to Bangladesh by Royal Nepal Airlines. This may turn out to be a lucrative decision that may rejuvenate the ailing aviation sector of Nepal as well.

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