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Dhaka Friday,  Mar 29, 2024

Put aside differences, focus on connectivity, PM urges

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today sought active supports from the Saarc leaders for advance implementation of the regional connectivity by putting aside their differences in a bid to increase intra-regional trade.
“Physical connectivity is important in ensuring overall peace, progress and stability across South Asia,” the prime minister said at the inaugural ceremony of the 18th Saarc Summit at City Hall in the Nepalese capital Kathmandu.
She said, “Bangladesh approaches connectivity in a wider context. We believe in connecting ideas, knowledge, technology, culture, people, road-rail-air, movement of goods, services and investment.”
The PM’s call came as the Saarc member states failed to reach an agreement over the three key deals that were supposed to be signed at the summit.
The three agreements are: Saarc Motor Vehicles Agreement for the Regulation of Passenger and Cargo Vehicular Traffic amongst Saarc member states, Saarc Regional Railways Agreement and Saarc Framework Agreement for Energy Cooperation (Electricity).
The premier said Bangladesh will appreciate the early signing of the Regional Motor Vehicles Agreement and the Regional Railways Agreement.
“I urge all Saarc leaders at the podium to lend their support to advance implementation of the agreed regional outcomes on connectivity,” she said.
At the same time, the Saarc countries need to focus on increasing intra-regional trade, Hasina added.
“Early and effective implementation of Safta remains important. We will particularly need to address the non-tariff and para-tariff barriers,” the premier said.
She said, “Our people want to see robust actions, on-the-ground. They are more focused on outcomes than process.”
Lauding the progress on the Saarc Framework Agreement on Electricity Cooperation, she said optimum supply of energy remains fundamental to ensuring steady growth and sustainable development of the Saarc people.
“Energy is a sector where we have much to tap in terms of regional hydro-power. There are aspects, like energy regulation, efficiency and conservation, regional power grid – where we can work beneficially. It is, therefore, the time to commit ourselves on regional, sub-regional and bilateral initiatives for the development of energy sector in a comprehensive manner,” added Hasina.
The premier urged the Saarc leaders to focus on undertaking more realistic, result-oriented and mutually beneficial partnership for cooperation to prosper together. “Let that be our contribution to redeem our pledge to our people to leave a more peaceful, progressive, connected and knowledge-based South Asia,” she added.
The PM said the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) was established three decades ago with the core objectives of building partnership for the welfare and prosperity of the people.
“Looking back, one would have the impression that its achievements have been rather modest compared to our expectations and potentials.”
She said differences among the member states needed to be put aide and to work on collective strength for bringing real progress to the people of the region.
Hasina identified seven issues that require urgent attention of the Saarc member countries. Those are poverty, youth population, science technology innovation, climate change, regional agreements and global development agenda.
Terming poverty “the common and key enemy” that hinders peace and development in the region, she emphasised that cooperation in increasing productivity of key cereals, inland fisheries and livestock, improving water efficiency in agriculture are crucial for attaining nutritional security of the people and eradicating poverty.
She also underscored the need for effective operation of Saarc Food Bank and Seed Bank.
The premier emphasised developing the large young population of the region as human resources primarily by giving them quality education and effective training.
The women and men need easy access to affordable and quality technical and vocational education as education and skill development need to be linked to employment and entrepreneurship, she said.
Hasina said the Saarc countries must deepen its collective efforts to develop, use and apply science-technology-innovation at all levels.
“We need support in health, agriculture, food and climate change technologies. Bangladesh would call for deeper cooperation in these areas,” she added.
Saying that climate change poses a serious challenge to much of the development enterprise since intensity and frequency of disasters among the Saarc countries are rising, she said the risks are so grave that Bangladesh climate change may wipe out 2 to 3 percent of our annual GDP, including displacement of more than 30 million people by 2050.
The PM said the Saarc countries need to secure result-oriented implementation of the regional agreements and plans through cross-border initiatives.
Hasina said the new Global Development Agenda requires the Saarc countries to focus on their fourth frontier – the Indian Ocean.
“There’s so much to benefit through collaborative exploration of the living and non-living marine resources. The ocean resources-based Blue Economy can play a critical role in sustainable development of the Saarc region,” she said.
Saying that over the years, some of the Saarc Observers that include China and USA have brought in useful knowledge and support, Hasina said Bangladesh value their contribution and engagement with Saarc.

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