Shillong, Dec 06: The two day conference organized by the UNESCAP, ADB and the government of Meghalaya after the deliberation come out with the thirteen point agenda that they have recommend for the implementation.
Policy Dialogue on Economic and Transport Development in Border Areas in Eastern South Asia was organized jointly by UNESCAP, ADB and the Government of Meghalaya in Shillong, India, It was attended by representatives of government and civil society organization from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and India including the provincial governments of the North Eastern States.
The Policy Dialogue was organized as a part of the initiative by UNESCAP and ADB to promote socio-economic development of border areas in the Eastern South Asia, that remain among the poorest, primarily due to weak transport connectivity. Strengthening transport connectivity, while bringing socio-economic development, could further develop the sub region as a hub of economic activities due to its strategic geographical location and foster regional economic integration in South Asia.
The policy dialogue noted that harnessing the potential of regional economic cooperation and integration had assumed a new criticality with the dramatically changed global context on a post-financial crisis world and the compulsions of rebalancing the drivers of growth. They also noted that poorly developed land transport infrastructure and facilitation at the borders was an important barrier for fuller exploitation of potential of regional economic integration in South Asia. It was also adversely affecting the development of border regions not allowing their potential to emerge as hubs of trade and related economic activity.
The representatives from the participating countries discussed the initiatives on cross border economic and transport development and facilitation. The Policy Dialogue noted the efforts made by the countries to develop cross border trade and transport in general and particularly in border areas including development of integrated check posts (ICPs), authorized economic operator programme, customs, automation and entering in to bilateral and sub-regional transport.
It was observed that in view of its strategic location, with closer cooperation towards transport and transit facilitation, between the North Eastern States of India under neighbouring countries, the Eastern South Asia can emerged as a hub of South Asia’s Trade with ASEAN and East Asia besides facilitating mutual trade and serve as a pivot of the India’s Look East Policy. The Policy Dialogue noted that poor transport connectivity including inadequate transport infrastructure and lack of transport facilitation were among the main challengers for the sub-region to capitalize on its immense potential for further socio-economic development.
The Policy Dialogue appreciated the role of the Border Haats in socio-economic development of border areas and in reinvigorating already existing cultural links within the sub-region. It recommended scaling up and replication of the Border Haats in other areas, given their favourable impact on socio-economic development of border areas and their potential for fostering people-to-people contacts. Besides improving the infrastructure and connectivity to the existing Haats, and expanding their space, the number of operational days could be increased and products coverage expanded. The Border Haats could be also developed as tourism centres.
The policy dialogue discussed the experiences in development of border regions in other parts of Asia and the Pacific including the GMS region. The good practices from these regions include Border Special Economic Zones providing all the specialized infrastructure for facilitating mutually beneficial economic activity and trade. UNESCAP and ADB were invited to prepare feasibility studies on the potential of such economic zones in socio-economic development of Eastern South Asia including the activities and products covered by them and potential locations and models.
UNESCAP and ADB were also invited to assist by preparing studies on the tourism potential of the Asian Highway in Eastern South Asia and on identification of competitive products for export development.
The participants agreed that the Policy Dialogue was an important initiative and requested UNESCAP and ADB to organize more similar activities for developing action oriented policy recommendations for socio-economic and transport development of the Eastern South Asia.
Given the common conditions for cross order trade and transport of the North East Region of India with the neighbouring countries the Policy Dialogue recommended that scope of the work be extended to include Myanmar for similar policy dialogues to be conducted in future. It also suggested for broader representation from civil society and other stakeholders including security agencies at the borders.
The Policy Dialogue noted the importance of inter-modal transport to deal with inhospitable terrain of the sub-region and in this regard accord high priority to inland water transport in the Eastern South Asia in view of its potential to provide most economical and environmentally sustainable mode of transport. This may require, however, dredging of some rivers to make them navigable.
The Policy Dialogue noted the UNESCAP Efficient Cross-border Transport Models as a methodology to identify non-physical barriers, evaluate alternatives and find optimal solutions as well as various models to organize cross-border transport by road and rail. It also noted the importance of the SASEC Trade and Transport Facilitation Strategy presented by ADB. The Strategy identifies four pillars for SASEC trade and transport facilitation, namely (i) simplification and harmonization of trade and transport procedures and documents; (ii) development of SPS/Conformity measures; (iii) development of cross-border facilities; and (iv) cross-border transport facilitation arrangements.
The Policy Dialogue ended with appreciation to the Government of Meghalaya for warm hospitality and excellent organization of the Policy Dialogue.(SP News)
