Presentation on Bilateral Agreements with Bangladesh Related to

International Road Transport

Md Rabiul Islam,Deputy Chief

Road Transport and Highways Division,Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges

Government of The People’s Republic of Bangladesh

Md Shamsul Islam,Joint Commissioner

Bangladesh Customs National Board of Revenue, Ministry of Finance

Government of The People’s Republic of Bangladesh

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Bangladesh India

India

Myanmar

India

Bilateral Agreements Related to International Road Transport with India

Joint Communiqué, January 2010 signed between Bangladesh and India.

Framework Agreement on Cooperation for Development between the Govt. of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and the Govt. of Republic of India, signed by both the Prime Ministers on 06 September 2011 in Dhaka.

Agreement between the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and the Government of the Republic of India for the regulation of Motor Vehicle Passenger Traffic between the two Countries regarding Dhaka-Kolkata-Dhaka(17 June 1999)

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Bilateral Agreements Related to International Road Transport with India (Continued)

Agreement between the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and the Government of the Republic of India for the regulation of Motor Vehicle Passenger Traffic between the two Countries regarding Dhaka-Agortala-Dhaka(10 July,2001).

Protocol regarding operation of Passenger Bus Services between Dhaka-Kolkata-Dhaka in terms of the Agreement

Protocol regarding operation of Passenger Bus Services between Dhaka-Agortala-Dhaka in terms of the Agreement

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Bilateral Agreements Related to International Road Transport with India (Continued)

India-Bangladesh Customs Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for movement of vehicles from and to India, Nepal and Bhutan up to custom points at border sides.

Agreement between the Government of People’s Republic of Bangladesh and the Government of the union of Myanmar for direct road link.

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Kunming(China)

Myanmar

Dhaka

Border Crossing Points

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Benapole

Akhaura

Types of permission for Passengers and Goods Transport

Two countries are operating two passenger bus services regularly except (Sunday) with proper documentation between Dhaka –Kolkata and Dhaka-Agartala.

Cargo services are operated within the limited boundary near the Border areas only for shipment

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Requirements for Vehicles

Registration-Passenger buses should be registered with their respective government authority. For Bangladesh-BRTA is responsible to do this.

Weights, Dimension, etc-For Passenger Buses, 40 seats are allotted, Air Conditioned services are essential. Buses from Volvo companies are operating in both countries. Every Passenger can carry a limited weight

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Requirements for Vehicles

Mutual Recognition of Driving Licenses : Two countries have their state owned authority to issue the driving licenses.

Visa facilitation for professional drivers: Visa is required for both drivers and staffs of two countries. But they receive multiple entry visa for Two Years

Vehicle insurance : It is must for both vehicles and insurance is covered by the government of two countries.

Institutional arrangements for implémentation: Under two respective ministries of two countries, BRTC from Bangladesh and WBSTC from India are taking care of this matter

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Issues and challenges related to practical implementation of the existing bilateral agreements

Agreements signed between Bangladesh and India are likely implementing smoothly

In case with Myanmar, the agreement is yet to be implemented though Bangladesh took continual initiatives for its implementation

Bangladesh signed the instrument of Accession for Intergovernmental Agreement on Dry Ports on 25 September, 2014. At present, the challenges are regarding implementation of the Dry Ports. It is noteworthy that Bangladesh signed the Instrument of Accession for Intergovernmental Agreement on Asian Highway on 05 July 2009 which was effected on 10 August 2009.

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Plans to conclude new bilateral agreements and/or to amend the existing bilateral agreements.

Proposed Framework Transit Agreement with Bhutan.

Proposed Operational Modalities for the carriage of transit cargo between Bangladesh and Nepal.

Proposed Agreement for the regulation of Motor Vehicle Passenger Traffic between the two Countries: regarding Dhaka-Shilong – Gouhati-Dhaka route

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Plans to conclude new bilateral agreements and/or to amend the existing bilateral agreements.

Trade Agreement between Bangladesh and India (Valid up to31.03.2015), Bangladesh and Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutanprevailing.

Agreement between the Government of People’s Republic of Bangladeshand the Government of the union of Myanmar for direct road link.

Bangladesh, as a contracting party approved the draft SAARC Motor Vehicle Agreement after completing the internal procedure. However, the Agreement was not signed in the SAARC Summit. At present, Bangladesh is closely working with the proposed Bangladesh Bhutan India Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicle Agreement.

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Thank for Your Patience

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