Deepening Economic Linkages between South and Southeast Asia

Wednesday, July 13, 2022, 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm Indian Standard Time (IST)

The Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP) hosted the fourth Sambandh Policy Dialogue on regional connectivity. 

The Dialogue focussed on The World Bank’s new report, Deepening Linkages between South and Southeast Asia, on the current challenges that the inter-regional trade faces, expected gains from their removal and policy options for improving integration. We were honoured to host Cecile Fruman, Director, Regional Integration and Engagement and Nora Dihel, Senior Economist, The World Bank, as our guest speakers. This took place online on Wednesday, July 13, from 4:30 P.M. to 6:00 P.M Indian Standard Time (IST). Dr. Jaimini Bhagwati, Distinguished Fellow, CSEP delivered the welcome remarks.

In recent years, South Asia has prioritised eliminating trade restrictions and fostering better connectivity. While, India opted to stay away from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), resulting in much disappointment to its East, it initiated a discussion to review the India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and also formalised trade deals with other global partners, including Australia. For Bangladesh, FTAs have also become a priority to encourage economic growth and increase linkages. The World Bank’s recent report, Deepening Linkages between South and Southeast Asia, offers important recommendations in light of these new geo-economic developments, including on improving regulatory and soft infrastructure to facilitate seamless connectivity through the Bay of Bengal and in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Sambandh Policy Dialogue on Regional Connectivity is an online, private, and off-the-record forum for policy-makers and experts to exchange perspectives on connectivity and geo-economic relations between India, South, and Southeast Asia, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indo-Pacific regions. It seeks to correct the knowledge gap between different countries and stakeholders invested in deepening regional cooperation and integration, mainly between South Asia and ASEAN countries.

All content reflects the individual views of the speakers. The Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP) does not hold an institutional view on any subject.