Regional Transit Facility Holds Great Promise

Abstract

This article advocates for the immediate implementation of a regional transit facility connecting Bangladesh with neighboring SAARC countries, China, and Myanmar. Prof. Dr. M. Azizur Rahman argues that Bangladesh has missed out on the benefits of regional trade for four decades due to political hesitations and perceived security concerns. He outlines several strategic transit routes, including the Bhutan-India-North Bengal-Mongla Sea Port corridor and connections linking Bangladesh to China via Myanmar. The text emphasizes that such a facility would allow Bangladesh to procure goods and services at lower prices while earning significant revenue from transit fees. To support this infrastructure, the author calls for the development of deep-sea ports in Mongla and Chittagong through a consortium of beneficiary countries, sharing the estimated $10 billion cost proportionally among the participating nations.