Both these links come from the World Bank publications. Lately, I have been studying/working on prospects and scope of energy trade (hydropower), especially Nepal as an exporter. Does Nepal has a comparative advantage? How far can this trade go in the present investment and supply chain constraints? I will try to write an Op-Ed on this issue this weekend!
South Asia Energy: Potential and Prospects for Regional Trade
- Energy trade is very minimal in South Asia. Only Nepal, India, and Bhutan currently trade electricity.
- Despite being one of the most richest sources in current/flowing water having potential to produce huge amount of hydro energy, this region produces just 45 of the world's electricity.
- Bhutan’s unexploited hydropower potential exceeds 23,000 MW and Nepal's exceeds 43,000 MW.
- Bhutan’s electricity export in 2007 is expected to be 25% of its GDP and 60% of its state revenues.
South Asia: Trade and Transport Facilitation
- Intra-regional trade constitutes less than 5 percent of total trade.
South Asia's share of global trade is less than 2 percent. - International air freight is less than 1 percent of total trade volume.
- Over a third of the South Asia’s exports consist of textiles and clothing.
- The ports in the Bay of Bengal have low levels of productivity.
- The South Asian logistics sector is at a formative stage but it is developing quickly.
