Cabinet clears deal on four-nation road transit

The cabinet approved Monday a draft framework agreement on motor-vehicular movement between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) for strengthening regional connectivity through such road transit.
The transport ministers of the four countries will sign agreement on June 15 in Thimphu to start seamless transit of passenger, cargo and personal vehicles among the countries for greater mobility across a vast landscape.
"The cabinet approved the draft Motor Vehicles Agreement for the Regulation of Passenger, Personal and Cargo Vehicular Traffic between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) for movement of vehicles between those countries," cabinet secretary Muhammad Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan told journalists after the cabinet meeting.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presided over the meeting at the Cabinet Division of Bangladesh Secretariat-a day after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his Bangladesh tour.  
The cabinet secretary said that the draft of the trans-border transport deal was finalised earlier at transport secretary-level meetings of the four countries in Kolkata and Chennai of India.
He said the pact will allow vehicles to ply designated routes in the four countries.
"It will cut cost and time of unloading and loading of people and goods on the borders, helping smooth cross-border trade."
It has a provision of taking on board any other country subject to no objection from any of the four countries.
"The agreement will be renewed every three years or before. Any country, if wishes, can withdraw by giving six months' time," Mr Bhuiyan said.
He said the agreement will come into effect after the seal of approval to the necessary protocol on execution of the deal.
At present, there is no direct road link to Nepal and Bhutan from Bangladesh. To go to these two SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) countries, people from Bangladesh need to travel via India only after changing vehicles at border points.
The council of ministers approved the draft Navy (Amendment) Act 2015 subject to vetting by the law ministry.
It sent back a draft proposal of the Road Transport and Highways Division of the transport ministry on 'Land Management Policy', asking the officials concerned to make a coordinated policy applicable for all ministries for use of their roadside lands.
The cabinet asked the Ministry of Commerce to put up a proposal for ratification of the 'Protocol Amending the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organisation (WTO)' in the next cabinet meeting with a report on progress in fulfilling the expectation of Bangladesh from the WTO.
The cabinet adopted a resolution giving thanks and congratulations to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her playing an inherent role in making possible a very successful visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh on June 6-7.
"The successful visit of the Indian Prime Minister was possible due to Sheikh Hasina's farsightedness, wisdom, eagerness, leadership, positive attitude and steadfast commitment to bilateral relations and regional cooperation," says the cabinet resolution.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com