Four South Asian countries -- Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) -- are planning to launch a new passenger bus and cargo service soon, announced Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali.

This network aims to have a huge positive economic impact on the four countries.

"Under the BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement, new passenger bus and cargo services will be operational soon with a view to connect Bangladesh and India with Nepal and Bhutan," said the Foreign Minister today.

The foreign minister said this while addressing at the event 'Bangladesh and India Northeast: Exploring Opportunities and Mutual Interests', arranged by Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.

He also said these passenger bus and cargo services are expected to be a 'game changer' in the sub-region.

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Mahmood Ali said all these initiatives, put together, will have a huge impact on increasing personal relations between the people of the countries and on increasing the cross-border business activities.

Business communities of both the countries can think about more investment in the region in different potential sectors which will be a win-win situation for all, he added.

The foreign minister also said Bangladesh is looking at direct air connectivity between Dhaka and Guwahati.

The agreement was signed to promote safe, economical efficient and environmentally sound road transport in the sub-region and help each country create an institutional mechanism for regional integration.

The four countries will be benefited by mutual cross border movement of passenger and goods for overall economic development of the region, according to official documents.

The people of the four countries will benefit through seamless movement of goods and passenger across borders.

Chairman of the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh Dr Akmal Hossain, among others, spoke at the inaugural session. Resource persons from Bangladesh and India were present at the programme.