Bangladesh, India discuss reopening border haats, easing yarn import curbs
Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir and Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi also discussed lifting yarn import restrictions and boosting joint investment.
Bangladesh and India have discussed reopening closed border haats, restoring land ports to full operational capacity and lifting existing restrictions on yarn imports through land ports as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral trade relations.
The issues were discussed at a meeting between Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir and Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi at the Secretariat today (24 August).
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the commerce minister said bilateral trade between the countries currently stands at around $13 billion.
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"Trade activities have slowed somewhat due to several impediments that have emerged over the past one and a half years," he said, adding that the meeting focused on identifying these challenges and exploring ways to make trade relations easier and more effective in the future.
The minister said India is Bangladesh's second-largest trading partner after China, with the two countries maintaining longstanding business ties.
Muktadir said they discussed establishing a joint task force to enhance business cooperation and develop digital infrastructure.
"These initiatives are aimed at creating new investment opportunities, expanding business ties and accelerating bilateral trade", he added.
Indian envoy also talked to the media and stressed the need to strengthen business-to-business relations between the countries, saying politics will continue in its own course.
"Let us have business-to-business together. Politics will continue in its own way, but it is our responsibility to deliver what people deserve. I do not doubt that the future is very positive. Let things take their own time and let us work together for the people of both countries," he said.
The meeting focused on fully reopening land ports, reopening closed border markets and lifting restrictions on yarn imports through land routes, the Indian envoy said.
Calling Bangladesh a vibrant, sovereign and independent country like India, Trivedi said, "Nobody is big and nobody is small. We are all equals, and we have to work on that footing."
Highlighting the importance of peace and prosperity, he said prosperity would follow if peace could be ensured.
Trivedi stressed the importance of joint investment and production, saying Bangladesh's readymade garment sector has achieved remarkable success globally.
India can support the sector by supplying zippers, machinery, buttons and other accessories, he said, adding that such cooperation would increase mutual interdependence between the two countries, reports BSS.
"I feel proud when I see 'Made in Bangladesh' written on garments in international markets," the envoy said.
He expressed the view that Bangladesh's garment sector could expand further through joint initiatives by businesses of the two countries.
