Consultancy services for Preparation of Environment and social framework (ESF) documents for Accelerating Transport and Trade Connectivity in Eastern South Asia (ACCESS) – Bangladesh Phase 1 Project as part of Multiphase Programmatic approach program (MPA) for the development of Beanpole, Bhomra and Burimari Land Port.

The proposed World Bank-financed Accelerating Transport and Trade Connectivity in Eastern South Asia (ACCESS) project will seek to address the main drivers of the high cost of trade and transport in the sub-region, namely low levels of technology adoption in trade facilitation, inadequate transport, and logistics infrastructure, and regulatory and procedural impediments to the cross-border movement of freight. The Program Development Objective is to develop efficient and resilient regional trade and transport in the Eastern South Asian countries. This ESIA outlines the potential environmental and social impacts and mitigation actions for Phase 1 of the Burimari Land Port development work under Components 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the Program, i.e., Land Port Development and Border Management Improvement. They are: (1a) Automated border management system, (2a) Resilient land port infrastructure at Benapole, Bhomra and Burimari Land Ports, (3f) Technical assistance to foster contemporary border management, and (4) Contingency Emergency Response.

The assignment’s scope comprises preparing the Environmental and Social (E&S) documents under the World Bank’s ESF following the Environmental and Social Standards (ESS). To carry out the activities mandated under Component 1, BLPA is

to conduct the following studies:

·        Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) for the whole project to guide preparation and E&S risks assessment of activities to be identified and prepared during implementation

·        Environment and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for all 3 Land Ports (Benapole, Bhomra and Burimari)

·        Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP)

·        Labor Management Procedures (LMP)

·        Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) and Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) all 3 Land Ports (Benapole, Bhomra and Burimari)

·        Sexual Exploitation & Abuse and Sexual Harassment (SEA/SH) and Gender Action Plan (GAP)

·        Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP)