Bangladesh-Myanmar relations
Saturday, 16 June 2007
Syed Jamaluddin
ALTHOUGH close neighbours, yet the relation between Bangladesh and Myanmar is far from satisfactory. Because of its geographical location, Myanmar does carry heavy weight in respect of our foreign relations. In undivided India, Bangladesh territory had close links with Myanmar on religious, social, cultural and economic matters. People from greater Chittagong and Noakhali migrated to Myanmar in quest of fortune. This contact started to decline after the partition of India.
In the 1960s, Myanmar started driving out the foreigners. It was no longer regarded as a coveted place. At that time, the country was following a policy of isolation. The pushing of Rohingya to Bangladesh made matters worse. As a result, people lost interest in Myanmar. But for Bangladesh, Myanmar is extremely important. Our relation with South East and East Asia can be facilitated greatly by Myanmar.
Bangladesh and Myanmar have now signed a deal for the construction of a link road. Bangladesh from the very beginning attached special importance to the early construction of the road as part of its 'look east policy'. The proposed road would also connect Bangladesh with Thailand and China through Myanmar. It would bring countries of Southeast Asia and parts of China adjacent to Myanmar closer to Bangladesh. Besides, the road link is likely to open new opportunities for the Chittagong Port. China and Myanmar showed interest in this project for their external trade. The facilities of the port would have to be upgraded to help it handle the import-export cargoes of the neighbouring countries. North-East India is also interested to use the Chittagong port. However, mere construction of a road link would not help achieve the objectives.
Bangladesh can benefit from the facility if government functionaries, business leaders and other stockholders make efforts to boost trade. Developed countries are the export destination of Bangladesh because they provide preferential treatment. But we have to be engaged in aggressive marketing for trading with Myanmar which is importing mainly from China. It may be possible to secure a portion of this market. Some non-traditional items have good prospects for trading with Myanmar.
In the past there was a proposal to construct a bridge over the Naf river. Inspite of a deal to construct the overland road, the bridge over the Naf river can still be pursued. This will further improve communications between the two countries.
For understandable reasons, Bangladesh did not join the Asian Highway project because the proposed route was a transit from India to India Via Bangladesh. It did not provide any incentive to Bangladesh to join the highway. The existing route of the Asian Highway has not served the cause of Bangladesh. The new road link between Myanmar and Bangladesh may create an opportunity to join the Asian Highway in future.
Traders from Bangladesh are interested in finding their market in North-Eastern India. But if India is allowed transit through Bangladesh, our traders will lose their market. Indian goods can easily be moved to North-Eastern India through the transit and Bangladesh goods will no longer be required to meet these needs. Besides, there is the question about the ability of this country to handle a steady stream of trucks and buses along its already over-used roads.
During the previous regime priority was given to the 'look east policy' but its implementation was not seriously taken up. Myanmar has no problem with Bangladesh except for the Rohingya issue. Initiative will have to be taken to improve trading opportunities. Bangladesh has proposed to lease patches of land from Myanmar for farming in a bid to meet the growing demand of a teeming population for food and other agriculture products. This is a new opportunity and should be followed up with all seriousness. Bangladesh can look for investment opportunities in Myanmar since there is a ban on Bangladesh investment in India.
Tripartite gas pipeline project also offers an opportunity to improve and strengthen ties with Myanmar. The previous government asked for certain advantages in connection with the pipeline project. They wanted a corridor for trading with Nepal and Bhutan. Bangladesh at that time wanted to import power from Bhutan by using the Indian grid. Since Nepal and Bhutan have bilateral agreements on power with India, it will take time to sort out the matter.
Bangladesh has no border problem with Myanmar as in the case of India. Rohingya issue can be resolved through mutual understanding. We have to impress upon Myanmar that we are truly interested to improve our ties with them for mutual benefit. The government has taken initiative to import electricity from Myanmar. A delegation is scheduled to visit Yangon. It may be possible to finalise the deal quickly. Increased cooperation with Myanmar will balance our relation with India.
Bangladesh will join the Trains-Asian Railway (TAR) Network aiming to expand its rail communication with other Asian countries and subsequently with Europe in the long run. Under the agreement, three railway routes from West Bengal will pass through Bangladesh in the direction of Myanmar. These routes are quite convenient for Bangladesh which was not the case with the Asian Highway that was proposed to pass through Bangladesh to India. The railway network is seen as a way to improve accessibility of land-locked countries in Asia. This route will help develop trading opportunities for Bangladesh. Tourism will also benefit from this route. Thirtytwo Asian countries are expected to sign this agreement. It will facilitate the look east policy of Bangladesh and further strengthen relations with Myanmar.
Myanmar is our only other bordering country besides India and the opportunities of trade between the two countries are enormous. Geographically, Myanmar is about five times bigger than Bangladesh, but with a population of almost its half. Being the largest country in South East Asian region and having borders with as many as five countries, it is strategically located to be a gateway between South-East Asia and South Asia and to China in the North.
Besides possessing huge untapped natural resources like minerals, oil and gas, the country has the biggest agriculture sector in the region. Unlike other countries in the region, Myanmar possesses huge cultivable land area and can be the bowl of Asia. Only 12 per cent of its land area is presently under cultivation.
Both Bangladesh and Myanmar can benefit enormously through mutual cooperation. The areas of cooperation between the two countries can encompass trading of consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, fertiliser, minerals, forest resources, fisheries and tourism.
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The writer is an economist and columnist
ALTHOUGH close neighbours, yet the relation between Bangladesh and Myanmar is far from satisfactory. Because of its geographical location, Myanmar does carry heavy weight in respect of our foreign relations. In undivided India, Bangladesh territory had close links with Myanmar on religious, social, cultural and economic matters. People from greater Chittagong and Noakhali migrated to Myanmar in quest of fortune. This contact started to decline after the partition of India.
In the 1960s, Myanmar started driving out the foreigners. It was no longer regarded as a coveted place. At that time, the country was following a policy of isolation. The pushing of Rohingya to Bangladesh made matters worse. As a result, people lost interest in Myanmar. But for Bangladesh, Myanmar is extremely important. Our relation with South East and East Asia can be facilitated greatly by Myanmar.
Bangladesh and Myanmar have now signed a deal for the construction of a link road. Bangladesh from the very beginning attached special importance to the early construction of the road as part of its 'look east policy'. The proposed road would also connect Bangladesh with Thailand and China through Myanmar. It would bring countries of Southeast Asia and parts of China adjacent to Myanmar closer to Bangladesh. Besides, the road link is likely to open new opportunities for the Chittagong Port. China and Myanmar showed interest in this project for their external trade. The facilities of the port would have to be upgraded to help it handle the import-export cargoes of the neighbouring countries. North-East India is also interested to use the Chittagong port. However, mere construction of a road link would not help achieve the objectives.
Bangladesh can benefit from the facility if government functionaries, business leaders and other stockholders make efforts to boost trade. Developed countries are the export destination of Bangladesh because they provide preferential treatment. But we have to be engaged in aggressive marketing for trading with Myanmar which is importing mainly from China. It may be possible to secure a portion of this market. Some non-traditional items have good prospects for trading with Myanmar.
In the past there was a proposal to construct a bridge over the Naf river. Inspite of a deal to construct the overland road, the bridge over the Naf river can still be pursued. This will further improve communications between the two countries.
For understandable reasons, Bangladesh did not join the Asian Highway project because the proposed route was a transit from India to India Via Bangladesh. It did not provide any incentive to Bangladesh to join the highway. The existing route of the Asian Highway has not served the cause of Bangladesh. The new road link between Myanmar and Bangladesh may create an opportunity to join the Asian Highway in future.
Traders from Bangladesh are interested in finding their market in North-Eastern India. But if India is allowed transit through Bangladesh, our traders will lose their market. Indian goods can easily be moved to North-Eastern India through the transit and Bangladesh goods will no longer be required to meet these needs. Besides, there is the question about the ability of this country to handle a steady stream of trucks and buses along its already over-used roads.
During the previous regime priority was given to the 'look east policy' but its implementation was not seriously taken up. Myanmar has no problem with Bangladesh except for the Rohingya issue. Initiative will have to be taken to improve trading opportunities. Bangladesh has proposed to lease patches of land from Myanmar for farming in a bid to meet the growing demand of a teeming population for food and other agriculture products. This is a new opportunity and should be followed up with all seriousness. Bangladesh can look for investment opportunities in Myanmar since there is a ban on Bangladesh investment in India.
Tripartite gas pipeline project also offers an opportunity to improve and strengthen ties with Myanmar. The previous government asked for certain advantages in connection with the pipeline project. They wanted a corridor for trading with Nepal and Bhutan. Bangladesh at that time wanted to import power from Bhutan by using the Indian grid. Since Nepal and Bhutan have bilateral agreements on power with India, it will take time to sort out the matter.
Bangladesh has no border problem with Myanmar as in the case of India. Rohingya issue can be resolved through mutual understanding. We have to impress upon Myanmar that we are truly interested to improve our ties with them for mutual benefit. The government has taken initiative to import electricity from Myanmar. A delegation is scheduled to visit Yangon. It may be possible to finalise the deal quickly. Increased cooperation with Myanmar will balance our relation with India.
Bangladesh will join the Trains-Asian Railway (TAR) Network aiming to expand its rail communication with other Asian countries and subsequently with Europe in the long run. Under the agreement, three railway routes from West Bengal will pass through Bangladesh in the direction of Myanmar. These routes are quite convenient for Bangladesh which was not the case with the Asian Highway that was proposed to pass through Bangladesh to India. The railway network is seen as a way to improve accessibility of land-locked countries in Asia. This route will help develop trading opportunities for Bangladesh. Tourism will also benefit from this route. Thirtytwo Asian countries are expected to sign this agreement. It will facilitate the look east policy of Bangladesh and further strengthen relations with Myanmar.
Myanmar is our only other bordering country besides India and the opportunities of trade between the two countries are enormous. Geographically, Myanmar is about five times bigger than Bangladesh, but with a population of almost its half. Being the largest country in South East Asian region and having borders with as many as five countries, it is strategically located to be a gateway between South-East Asia and South Asia and to China in the North.
Besides possessing huge untapped natural resources like minerals, oil and gas, the country has the biggest agriculture sector in the region. Unlike other countries in the region, Myanmar possesses huge cultivable land area and can be the bowl of Asia. Only 12 per cent of its land area is presently under cultivation.
Both Bangladesh and Myanmar can benefit enormously through mutual cooperation. The areas of cooperation between the two countries can encompass trading of consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, fertiliser, minerals, forest resources, fisheries and tourism.
......................................................
The writer is an economist and columnist