Search Detail

PADECO has substantial experience in trade and transport facilitation, especially in formulating policies and designing legal frameworks to enhance regional connectivity. The Bay of Bengal region, which stands to benefit significantly from improved connectivity, remains a key focus area for ADB. PADECO's expert carried out three assignments for ADB to prepare a transport connectivity master plan for the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) – “Support for the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation II (BIMSTEC II) – Transport Planning Consultant”, “Strengthening Knowledge-Driven Development in South Asia – Transport Planning Consultant”, and “Supporting the Implementation of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation Initiative – Transportation Planning Specialist”.
The master plan included broad policies, strategies, and actions designed to strengthen international transport connectivity within the BIMSTEC subregion. It set out a vision for the initiative, through a vision statement, and a policy framework promoting the development of international transport linkages and services within the subregion covering the various transport modes. It articulated the implementation strategies to be adopted and defined the goals to be achieved based on those policies. In addition, it suggested the methodology to be applied in monitoring the realization of these goals. PADECO's expert conducted desk research and field visits, prepared a draft structure of the master plan, and revised the BIMSTEC Master Plan for endorsement by the BIMSTEC Member States and their Leaders.

Building on PADECO’s successful experience with BIMSTEC subregion, ADB subsequently engaged PADECO's expert on three individual assignments to explore opportunities for strengthening cooperation on multimodal transport connectivity and trade facilitation between South Asia and Southeast Asia, focusing on cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the BIMSTEC. The tasks involved reviewing ASEAN and BIMSTEC strategies and initiatives to identify bottlenecks and synergies. An initial framework for ASEAN-BIMSTEC cooperation was proposed, outlining strategies, action plans, and priority projects aligned with ADB’s models, while considering the impacts of COVID-19 and the need for health resilience. Key findings were summarized in a background paper for the ASEAN-BIMSTEC Dialogue, supported by a draft plan and agenda. Participation in the Dialogue involved summarizing outcomes and preparing a framework paper to guide future ADB-supported actions.