Bangladeshi traders support transit facilities to India

According to them, transshipment can be done through Chittagong and Mongla international ports and Sherpur and Ashuganj river ports, besides through road and railways.

"If Dhaka provides transshipment and logistical support to India to carry machinery, essentials and other goods to northeast through Bangladesh, it would earn revenues and also help improve business and economic activities between the neighbours," India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Abdul Matlub Ahmad told reporters here Sunday.

Tripura and other north-eastern states are surrounded by Bangladesh, Myanmar, Bhutan and China on three sides and the only land route access to these states from within India is through Assam. But this route passes through hilly terrain with steep narrow roads and multiple hairpin bends.

To further increase trade and business with northeast India, several Bangladeshi trade and industry groups have visited Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and other north-eastern states since January and have held a series of meetings with the state governments and Indian trade and industry bodies.

An Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) delegation had also visited Dhaka last month and met Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, commerce minister Farooq Khan and trade and industry bodies.

Already, steps are being taken to foster trade between Bangladesh and northeastern India. "A multipurpose business complex called Bangla Market, with budget hotels and a convention hall, will be set up in Agartala," Ahmad said.

Products from both Bangladesh and the north-eastern region will be available at the market, he added.

According to Ahmad, the Tripura government will also import 40 crore (400 million) bricks from Bangladesh.

Tripura had earlier set up a seven-member task force comprising officials and trade bodies of the two countries to suggest measures to enhance trade and economic activities with Bangladesh.

An Indian trade delegation will visit Bangladesh soon.

Ahmad said Bangladeshi entrepreneurs were willing to set up a tyre factory in Tripura and a cement unit in Meghalaya in joint ventures with the two state governments.

Bangladesh is also keen on buying any surplus power generated from the proposed 740 MW Palatana thermal power project in Tripura at nominal cost, Ahmad said.

Tripura shares an 856-km border with Bangladesh, which almost surrounds the state.

sc/ank/dg

( 394 Words)

2009-07-05-17:00:12 (IANS)

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