Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has stressed the need for establishing a new economic zone involving Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Bhutan.
“The process has begun. This process should be accelerated so that the economic zone could be established,” he told a programme, hosted by Bangladesh Administrative Service Association (BASA), at Bangladesh-China Friendship Centre in Dhaka on Sunday night.
Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, Law Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul, Information and Broadcasting Adviser Md. Nahid Islam, Cabinet Secretary Dr. Sheikh Abdur Rashid, and BASA President and LGRD Secretary Md Nazrul Islam also spoke at the event.
Speaking at the event, Yunus said as a nation, Bangladesh has an immense potential due to its geographical location while two giant countries – India and China – are its neighbours.
He said China and India are progressing fast, and Bangladesh has the potential to advance along with the two neighbours.
Noting that if Bangladesh can utilise its marine potential, it will go fast economically, the Chief Adviser said, “There is a huge scope to generate hydropower in the Himalaya and Nepal is keen to export its hydro-electricity and we are ready to buy it.”
Now Indian territory is not being allowed to import power from Nepal but “We hope that they will allow us to use their land for their economic benefit – for the welfare of all”.
Yunus observed that if Bangladesh gets opportunity to use the Indian land in a broader way, none will be able to halt its progress.
“Bangladesh is a very lucky nation due to its location,” he added.
He said if marine ports could be set up in the Bangladesh coastline – from Cumilla to Teknaf – in a row and a deep seaport in Matarbari, Bangladesh economy will advance fast.
“If we can give opportunity to the ships of the whole world to use these ports, who will halt us?” the Chief Adviser questioned.
He said the there is an economic zone in the South Asia, but bad lack is that the zone is yet to be opened.
Nepal and Bhutan are landlocked countries and the seven sisters of India have no seaports, he said, adding if the new economic zone could be established, all the neighbouring countries will be able to explore immense trade potential.
Yunus said goods could be transport directly to Nepal, Bhutan and the seven sisters while their good would come to Bangladesh – and this is economy.
“So, in context of geographical location, we are lucky enough,” he added.