Prospects for Port Led Regional Maritime Connectivity in Bay of Bengal: Way Ahead

Author: M Khaled Iqbal
DOI: 10.70279/bmj-v6-i1-1069
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Ports are important medium of trade, connectivity and economic development. Bangladesh being at apex of Bay of Bengal is truly a maritime nation having 700 kilometres long coastline and an array of rivers and water bodies. Our trade, export and import largely depend on Maritime Connectivity. Thus, a well-developed ports and shipping sector will surely give rich dividend in the overall economic matrix of our country. Presently there are a number of challenges in our overall Port sector like lack of adequate draft, hinterland connectivity, port infrastructure and modern equipment etc. However, like many other developing countries, Bangladesh is also giving emphasis on port led economic development and has embarked on mega projects like Matarbari deep seaport and other port related infrastructure development. There are existing regional cooperation arrangements in south Asia with the Bay of Bengal littoral countries like BBIN and BIMSTEC that should deal with mutual trade and connectivity. This paper explores the existing maritime initiatives in the Bay of Bengal region and outlines the need for port led maritime infrastructure development of Bangladesh in achieving greater regional connectivity with the BIMSTEC nations.