Published: 11:29 AM, 06 April 2026
Bangladesh-India economic ties is crucial for sustained growth: Environment Minister
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo on Saturday underlined the importance of strengthening Bangladesh-India economic ties in the post-election period, emphasising that regional collaboration is crucial for sustained growth. He made the remarks at a press conference in Dhaka organised by ICC Bangladesh to launch the book ‘Made in Nepal’ by industrialist and author Dr Binod Chaudhary.
Mintoo said, “You have to understand my statement in context. I would like to go back to the 1750s. If you read Adam Smith’s book ‘The Wealth of Nations’, it says that if you want to improve your society, if you want to make your country wealthy, you have to trade with neighboring countries.”
He highlighted that Bangladesh’s long-term prosperity is closely tied to regional cooperation, particularly with India, which remains a critical economic and geographic partner.
Mintoo stressed that post-election policies should reflect the historical significance of cross-border trade for national development. Supporting this view, Nepali industrialist Binod K Chaudhury, whose book was being launched, pointed to the influence of geography on national destinies. “Sometimes our destinies are governed by our geographies,” Binod said, noting that Nepal’s plans for broader economic engagement with Bangladesh require India’s positive participation. The launch was hosted by ICC Bangladesh under the leadership of Mahbubur Rahman, president of the chamber.
ICC Bangladesh, the national committee of the International Chamber of Commerce, promotes trade facilitation, policy reforms, and the integration of Bangladeshi businesses into the global economy. The event also highlighted Binod K Chaudhury’s journey as Nepal’s first billionaire, offering lessons in entrepreneurship, resilience, and innovation in emerging markets.
The event, organised by International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Bangladesh at the Platinum Grand in Banani, formally introduced 'Made in Nepal - Lessons in Business Building from the Land of Everest', a memoir chronicling Chaudhary's rise from modest beginnings to building a global conglomerate.
Presiding over the programme, ICC Bangladesh President Mahbubur Rahman said the book goes beyond a personal success story, offering practical lessons on resilience, innovation and long-term vision in emerging economies. He noted that the International Chamber of Commerce, founded in 1919 and headquartered in Paris, represents more than 45 million companies across over 170 countries and works closely with global bodies such as the United Nations, G20 and WTO to promote open markets and responsible business conduct.
He added that ICC Bangladesh, established in 1994, has been instrumental in advocating policy reforms, strengthening trade facilitation and enhancing Bangladesh's integration into the global economy.
The organisation, he said, continues to act as a bridge between the private sector and the government, helping ensure the country's competitiveness in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
Rahman emphasised that the book, 'Made in Nepal', reflects not only an individual success story but also the broader evolution of entrepreneurship in emerging economies. It demonstrates how businesses can thrive even in challenging environments through perseverance, adaptability and strategic foresight, he said.
Drawing a parallel with the Himalayas, he noted that business journeys are often marked by obstacles, but they also present immense opportunities for those willing to take calculated risks.
He observed that for countries like Bangladesh and Nepal-both rich in human capital-the lessons outlined in the book are particularly relevant.
Global success, he said, is no longer confined to developed markets; rather, it can emerge from South Asia through determination, innovation and cross-border collaboration.
Amid current global uncertainties, including supply chain disruptions, financial volatility and climate challenges, Mr Rahman said, such success stories provide both guidance and inspiration.
Speaking at the event, Binod K. Chaudhary reflected on his transition into politics, arguing that meaningful, large-scale change often requires engagement in governance. He described Nepal as a "highly resilient economy", noting that despite political transitions, its entrepreneurs have continued to expand globally and generate confidence. He highlighted early progress in Bangladesh-Nepal energy cooperation, particularly electricity exports from Nepal to Bangladesh, calling it a "small but positive beginning". However, he said that broader collaboration -- especially in trade and connectivity -- remains limited. Chaudhary also stressed the need for a functional transit corridor through Bangladesh, noting that existing arrangements are constrained by infrastructure gaps and require coordinated efforts involving India.
Referring to Adam Smith's 'The Wealth of Nations', the minister noted that national prosperity is closely tied to trade with neighbouring countries, particularly India, which he described as a crucial economic and geographic partner for Bangladesh. Ghanshyam Bhandari, Nepal's Ambassador to Bangladesh, described bilateral relationship as "organic", drawing a connection between the Himalayas and the Bay of Bengal through shared rivers and historical ties. He urged both countries to pursue their own development paths rather than relying on external perceptions.
Former ambassador Farook Sobhan offered a more cautionary outlook, warning that Bangladesh and Nepal are navigating one of the most challenging geopolitical and geoeconomic periods in their histories.
