China-Pakistan Economic Corridor: Why Should Bangladesh Utilize Connectivity Project? – OpEd

Bangladesh has ensured it’s remarkable achievements by expanding its textile and garment industry. It’s apparel sector is booming day by day. The main product of export of Bangladesh is it’s garments. So it is easy to say that Bangladesh needs cotton. But the production of cotton is less in Bangladesh. To fulfill the demand, Bangladesh imports cotton. On the other hands, Pakistan and Central Asian states are the main source of cotton in South Asia and Central Asia. However, Bangladesh is the overall top tenth export market of Pakistani products as Fabrics, cotton, plastic, leather, fruits, dates are the products exported to Bangladesh. Jute, medicines are many other products imported by the Pakistani market. But there are no direct shipping lines between Pakistan and Bangladesh to import and export easily. Business is affected because of no direct connection, this causes late consignment, and hurdles for importers and exporters.

It is very pertinent to mention that Bangladesh’s economy has made a tremendous effort to boost their economy in the past few years. Pakistan and Bangladesh have the potential to work together to boost their business and connectivity ties.

Everyone is dependent on everyone in this Globalized world. States are more connected regionally and globally now. Regional connectivity is needed to bolster the development. China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is one of regional connectivity project in Asia. It is a Project under China funded ‘ Belt and Road Initiative’ project. ( China’s string of Pearls route)

Bangladesh and Pakistan both have already joined in the project. Chinese president xi visited Bangladesh in 2016. He declared to invest a huge amount of dollars in Bangladesh under the Project. Bangladesh and China signed 27 agreements worth billions of dollars during his visit in Bangladesh. Bangladesh has joined ‘BRI project’ in 2017 officially. That was the right decision of PM Sheikh Hasina. China and Bangladesh vowed to deepen their Belt and Road cooperation during the visit of PM Sheikh Hasina in Beijing in 2019. Chinese government has already granted duty-free access to 97% Bangladeshi products to its market. Bangladesh-china bilateral trade is growing day by day. China is an important source of import for Bangladesh. China has made significant investment in the infrastructural development of Bangladesh . One of the most strategically important investments is in Payra port of Bangladesh. China has financed and constructed the Payra Deep Sea Port project estimated to cost between US $11 billion and US $15 billion. The port is the third-largest port in the country and had started operating in 2016. If this port could be connected with Gwadar port via Hambantota port, Bangladesh would have been benefitted ultimately.

Now an another opportunity is awaiting for Bangladesh. CPEC is going to create some benefits for the South Asian, Central Asian and Middle Eastern regional countries. Bangladesh can and should exploit the connectivity project for it’s own interest.

New routes are available now for Bangladesh to reach Pakistan, such as through China. These routes must be utilized for increasing bilateral trade. In 2020, the volume of bilateral trade was $644 million, which was very little considering the market and opportunities. The good news is that the volume of trade has increased significantly in 2021, as a rise in trade between Pakistan and Bangladesh has been reported. Bangladesh and Pakistan, both are developing countries, faced with similar kind of conditions, thus, both countries should take measures and collaborate in enhancing their bilateral trade ties.

Bangladesh Payra, Chattogram (Chittagong) and Mongla ports can be connected with Gwadar port via Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port. Then Bangladesh will be able to utilize the China run CPEC connectivity project in Pakistan. Bangladesh can easily import and export the products from Central China, Pakistan, Central Asian states, Russia, Iran. We know that Central Asian states would like to connect with Pakistan now through this project. Peshawar-Kabul-Kandahar Railway connectivity, Turkey-Iran-Afghanistan-Pakistan connectivity. Bangladesh-Sri Lanka connectivity would be boost up also. Connectivity is the synonym of development. So there is no alternative in this modern globalization era. We also know the current’ Afghan Peace Process’. Bangladesh can play an important role to develop the infrastructure, many other sectors in Afghanistan utilizing these regional connectivity. Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan share a common platform like SAARC. Bangladesh and Afghanistan both would be benefitted by bilateral trade if the political situation is stagnant in the war ravaged country. Therefore, there are some opportunities for Bangladesh in case of utilization of CPEC project.

Bangladeshi businesses may explore opportunities being offered by CPEC which can also be used as a transport link if Bangladesh is sourcing its imports from Western and Central China.

There may be some problems between Pakistan and Bangladesh too. Pakistan and Bangladesh have become very serious regarding building relations with each other in the last few years. We have found great fabric and yarn manufacturers from Pakistan. Bangladesh has a very small window of opportunities available to it. Although there are issues between Pakistan and Bangladesh, the businessmen on both sides understand the importance of bilateral trade. CPEC holds great importance and this opportunity will bring prosperity to Bangladesh as well because 30%-40% of the import is coming from China. Using CPEC as a channel, Pakistan should promote it to Bangladeshi businessmen.

Pakistan exports potatoes to and imports wheat from Russia. Bangladesh also needs to export potatoes and import wheat from Russia. Bangladesh can utilize this route easily taking the help of Pakistani businessmen. Although Bangladesh and Pakistan compete with each other in this sector, but bilateral efforts would pave the way to strengthen the business ties. In the onion crisis in 2019 in Bangladesh when India stooped to export onion to Bangladesh, Bangladesh exported onion from Pakistan. Therefore, we understood the significance of route in the emergency moment. However, 80% of the Bangladeshi population is youth and they are willing to be employed by the business community. We need to help the youth on both sides to connect not only nationally but regionally and globally. So, Bangladesh should utilize the CPEC connectivity project to maximize it’s own business interest. There is no alternative path without connectivity with the Globalized world.