Bhutan, Bangladesh, India and Nepal signed the Motor Vehicle Agreement (MVA) today. The agreement is expected to facilitate seamless cross-border movement of vehicles by reducing trade barriers and making the transport system efficient.
Starting from July till December, the respective ministries of the four countries will be formulating, negotiating and finalising the necessary legal instruments for effective implementation of the agreement.
The Prime Minister, Tshering Tobgay during the opening said the agreement would enable enhanced mobility, rapid socio-economic growth and goodwill in the sub-region of SAARC countries.
The MoIC Minister DN Dhungyel said the agreement is important for a landlocked country like Bhutan as it will reduce transport cost and foster development of multi-modal transport and transit facilities.
Physical road connectivity will also be improved with the support of the Asian Development Bank under South Asia Sub-regional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) programme.
There are 30 transport connectivity projects identified to connect, demand and supply centres and to promote land transport connectivity in the countries. The total estimated cost is over US$ 8 B.
A friendship motor rally was also flagged off from the capital today to broaden awareness on seamless movement of goods and people along economic corridors of these countries. The actual rally will take place in October
