News

Overview

Keynote Speech by Dr. Rama

Name of Meeting: Development of Economic Corridors in South Asia - Go beyond just infrastructure -
Date: 15th May, 2019
Sponsors: World Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency(JICA)
Location: International Conference Hall, JICA Research Institute

Moderators and panelists

Presentation by Prof. Hirota

•Opening Remarks:
Masato Miyazaki,
Special Representative, World Bank Japan

•Keynote Speech:
Dr. Martin Rama, World Bank's Senior Economic Advisor to the Vice President for South Asia Region

•Panelists and Moderator:
Prof. Koki Hirota, Saitama University/Visiting Researcher of JICA Research Institute
Mr. Shohei Hara, Managing Director, South Asia Department, JICA
Ms. Sachiko Imoto, Senior Deputy Director General, Office of Global Issues and Strategic Partnership, Operations Strategy Department, JICA

•Closing Remarks:
Mr. Shohei Hara
Managing Director, South Asia Department, JICA

Primary objectives and outcomes

Presentation by Mr. Hara

The World Bank, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Department for International Development (DFID) and JICA published the report on "The WEB of Transport Corridors in South Asia" in September 2018.
Taking the opportunity of Dr. Rama's visit to Japan, who led the study, the World Bank and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) held a seminar "The WEB of Transport Corridors in South Asia".

Contents of the discussions

Panel Discussions

Though South Asia is relatively less integrated region compared to others, it has large development potential as a hub of Asia from east to west.
Transportation corridors development in the region could bring Wider Economic Benefits (WEB), while the importance of the equal distribution of development benefits and consideration for the environmental impact of corridor development were discussed.

To enjoy Wider Economic Benefit (WEB) in the region, it is necessary not only to put a priority on the development of transportation corridors but also to exercise both soft and hard measures to boost public and private investment. In addition, social interventions should be put in place for equal distribution of benefits. In this regard, the role of the government is critical and Wider Economic Benefit (WEB) should be well measured and analyzed.

With more than one hundred participants in the Seminar from private sectors, academics, embassies as such, the Seminar has given the momentum of partnership for sustainable and inclusive development in South Asia Region.

Presentation Material and the report of co-research among the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Department for International Development (DFID) and JICA on "The WEB of Transport Corridors in South Asia" are available on the URL below.

• Presentation material by Dr. Rama (PDF/1.26MB)
• Presentation material by Prof. Hirota (PDF/595KB)
• Presentation material by Mr. Hara (PDF/1.11MB)