Improving physical access and communication between different parts of the world has gained importance as the cornerstone of global and regional integration and economic growth in recent years. However, its foundations were laid decades ago in 1776, when Adam Smith, the famous economist, penned down his thoughts in simple words:

“Good roads, canals, and navigable rivers, by diminishing the expense of carriage, put the remote parts of the country more nearly upon a level with those of the neighborhood of the town. They are upon that, the greatest of all improvements.”

The quote highlights the benefits of connectivity; efficient and cost-effective mobility and trade, which leads to improved access to opportunities such as labour and food markets etc., and facilities such as health, energy, and education, amongst others. Consequently, it helps in reducing inequality within and between countries. Sustainable and planned connectivity-global or regional, is thus, one of the major factors in growth and sustainability in developed states.