Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari has said that improvement of road transport between SAARC countries and the rest of South Asia will open new vistas for trade, tourism and cultural exchanges between these neighbouring countries. Mr. Gadkari was speaking at the closing ceremony of Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) Motor Car Rally at Princep Ghat in Kolkata this morning. <br/><br/>The Minister said that linking of the SAARC countries and the ASEAN countries, is essential for the economic integration of the entire region. Mr. Gadkari pointed out that free passage between these countries would also help to strengthen the common culture of South and South-East Asia and thicken the bonds of firendship. In his address, West Bengal Minister-in-charge of Housing and Youth Services, Arup Biswas promised all help from West Bengal in India's endeavour to link itself with all other countries this region.<br/><br/>The BBIN rally covered 4500 kilometers in 20 days, starting from Bhubaneswar passing through Ranchi, Patna, Siliguri, Gangtok, Phuentosholing, Thimphu, Guwahati, Silchar, Agartala, Chittagong, Dhaka and Kolkata among other cities and saw a participation of 80 members in 20 vehicles. <br/><br/>The BBIN Friendship Motor Rally was following the ratification of the Motor Vehicle Agreement for the Regulation of Passenger, Personal and Cargo Vehicular Traffic with Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal to smooth cross-border vehicle movement. The initiative was a result of the strong determination expressed by the Heads of SAARC countries to deepen regional integration by enhancing road connectivity.