Dhaka, 27 February 2007: Speakers here today underscored the need for adopting a comprehensive inland water transport strategy to contribute to poverty reduction and economic growth in the country. “The total transport demand in Bangladesh has grown at about 7 per cent a year; however, inland water transport passenger traffic has decreased by approximately 1.3 per cent a year. Bangladesh’s economy will benefit immensely if the Government now develops a coherent vision for the development of the inland water transport sector by turning constraints into opportunities”, Mr. Zhu Xian, World Bank Country Director said during a workshop on ‘Revival of Inland Water Transport: Options and Strategies’ here today. Jointly organized by Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority and the World Bank, the workshop was chaired by BIWTA Chairman Mr. Sunil Kanti Bose. Mr. Sheikh Enaytullah, Secretary, Ministry of Shipping, was Chief Guest at the occasion. Citing references to the Government’s Integrated Multi-modal Transport Policy, National Water Policy and National Water Management Plan, the speakers pointed out that this is an opportune time to develop an efficient, safe and cheap IWT system in Bangladesh. A quarter of households in Bangladesh have access to country’s 24,000 kilometre-long river transport network. IWT is still a cheaper mode of transport with a tariff around Taka 600 per ton, compared to Taka 1,200 for rail and Tk. 6,000 for road. On the other hand, the country boat sector employs an estimated 3.8 million workers. Based on the statistics for the last two decades, the ratio of accident fatalities per billion of passenger-km is 158 for roads and 41 for IWT, that is, road has almost four times higher fatality rate than inland water transport. The use of environment-friendly IWT instead of road transport is estimated to save about 60 million litres of diesel, and reduce emission of 150,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year in Bangladesh. During the technical sessions, international experiences in IWT were shared by speakers from India and Vietnam. Several experts noted that water management system will govern the future of IWT, while issues like sustainable management, institutional responsibilities and coordination, and the enhanced role of the private sector also came up during the discussions. Governance issues to improve revenue collection, port management and service delivery were also highlighted at the workshop. The development of container transport between Dhaka and Chittagong as well as that between India and Bangladesh was described as new business opportunities while suggestions came to involve the private sector in dredging, ferry services, port management and operations. Recommendations also came for network development and developing a dredging strategy, financing of IWT network maintenance on a fee-for-service basis, deregulation of passenger tariff and involvement of local governments in the management of the country boats and local river infrastructure. Contacts:
S.M.Rezwan-ul-Alam (880-2) 8159001 Ext. 4242
salam3@worldbank.org
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