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Joint working groups BBIN sub-regional cooperation meetings held in Bangladesh

Xinhua, January 20, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Joint Working Groups (JWGs) Meeting on Sub-Regional Cooperation among Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) on Water Resources Management and Power/Hydropower and on Connectivity and Transit were held in Dhaka on Jan.19-20.

According to a statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued on Wednesday, discussions at the meetings were cordial, constructive and forward looking, with many new initiatives for deepening sub regional cooperation identified and deliberated upon.

The 3rd JWG on Water Resources Management and Power/Hydropower carried forward earlier discussions on scope for power trade and inter-grid connectivity cooperation in future power projects and water resources management between the four countries.

Specific hydropower projects under BBIN framework that could be concretized on equitable basis were discussed.

It was decided that an Experts Group would be constituted for exchanging best practices in water resources management and on specifics of the identified projects, power trade, inter grid connectivity, flood forecasting and other areas of possible cooperation.

The JWG on Connectivity and Transit reviewed progress under the BBIN MVA and made recommendations relevant to this process.

It was agreed to commence discussion on the possibility of having a BBIN Rail Agreement drawing on the draft SAARC Regional Rail Agreement template.

It was also agreed that land ports/ land customs stations crucial for sub regional trade and transit would be given priority attention by all four countries.

The 4th meeting of the JWGs would be held in the second half of 2016 in India. Endit