| MA in Southeast Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University
Thesis title:
BANGLADESH’S ENGAGEMENT WITH ASEAN: RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT
Author:
Mr. Md. Morshed Alom
Thesis advisor:
Associate Professor Dr. Withaya Sucharithanarugse
Keywords:
BANGLADESH, ASEAN, ENGAGEMENT
Abstract:
As part of its reorientation of economic and foreign policy, Bangladesh adopted ‘look east’ policy to engage with the countries to the east (ASEAN+3) to increase trade and investment relations with them. Geographical proximity with ASEAN entertains Bangladesh of a greater scope of mutual cooperation with these countries. These 13 nations have achieved a higher degree of economic development in the last three decades and experts believe that these countries will continue to register higher economic growth in the next three decades as well. It is assumed that Bangladesh’s engagement with East Asia will economically benefit the country and enhance mutual cooperation. Seemingly, the ‘look east’ policy has made a boom in the imports of Bangladesh from the ASEAN countries. But its exports to these countries have remained unchanged. Bangladesh needs to diversify its export items ensuring better quality products to increase exports to ASEAN. The country should seek interim concessionary trade arrangement with ASEAN for reducing the existing huge trade gaps that at present favour the ASEAN countries. While, integration with the ASEAN economies should be along term policy aim of Bangladesh. Bangladesh shares common historical and cultural heritage with the ASEAN nations. Its overall economic and social indicators are not bad compared to those of the new members of ASEAN. Bangladesh’s economy is almost equal to the size of the combined economies of the new members of ASEAN and so does the size of its population. Moreover, the country links up ASEAN with a comparatively vast market of South Asia. Therefore, ASEAN should consider some collaborative arguments with Bangladesh with a view to making a future bridge between the two historical sub-regions of Southeast Asian and South Asia. |
