Africa is largely being touted as the new frontier for business and development. With the greatest population boom in the world expected in the continent, more focus is being provided to education, the Sustainable Development Goals, side by side efforts to improve the social fabric. The continent has its problems with some countries outstripping others in terms of growth and basic facilities. Not least among the disparities are wobbly democracies and the inevitable corruption that comes with such governance. Yet among all the disparities and differences almost all of the fifty-seven countries have signed up to a continental market protocol that seeks free trade and movement. And as is common with a natural evolution, start ups and sheer perseverance are providing hope and aspirations.
There was a similar vision behind the sub-continental initiative of SAARC. Those that had doubts about it have been proven to be correct in that till India and Pakistan buried their sabre rattling it wouldn’t work. Nor has Pakistan’s ISI sponsored backing of extremist elements in Bangladesh helped the cause. Prospects of peace and thereby stability continues to fade thereby diminishing a possibility that would have benefitted over a billion people.
As of now Bangladesh has bent backwards in facilitating India’s intent of reducing their goods transportation costs to the ‘seven sisters’ [India’s northeast states] as well as movement of people. Reciprocal gestures are awaited and for now we have assurances from our ministers that from the Teesta water sharing to the uncertainty of the National Register, these are matters that we need not have concerns over.
The political will of African countries to overcome many of their disagreements that led to conflict in the interest of the people is something both India and Pakistan can learn from. In its place there was ample scope of coordinated activity that would have been of great benefit, particularly for Pakistan that currently is the weakest economy among the three countries. This has had a spill-over effect on the appetite of investors to set up businesses in these countries whereas Africa is increasingly becoming a destination of choice. That is happening in spite of the issues and problems there. South Africa’s National airlines is in a state of disarray and the once leading light has been plagued by internal political strife that has come in the way of stable policies. On the contrary Bangladesh and India both promise stability but processes come in the way of investment.
In a recent statement the Prime Minister called for better coordination among the three organs of the state for better implementation of law, order, peace and development. Similar coordination is required among the utility and service sectors as well as the main agencies that should be barriers to corruption and capital flight. The lack of it has led to inconvenience for the citizenry as well as avoidable double expenditure. On the opposite side is far better cohesion in implementing the mega projects with the occasional hiccups such as the gross design failure in the Maghbazar flyover that led to additional cost to rectify. We have improved in implementing projects but there’s still some way to go, a finer aspect that befits a middle income country.