India, Bangladesh to strengthen cross-border trade, start five-day joint study

NEW DELHI: India and Bangladesh initiated last week a five-day joint study for monitoring the facilities and infrastructure along the border and also propose steps to strengthen cross-border trade.

Foreign Trade Director (South Asian, SAARC countries and Iran) Indira Murthy said, “We will study the available facilities and infrastructure, and what more is needed to boost India-Bangladesh trade and business. Under the ASIDE (Assistance to States for Development of Export Infrastructure and Allied Activities) scheme, LCS (land customs stations) and other infrastructure can be developed to accelerate cross-border trade and business.” Murthy is heading the five-member Indian team.

Reports suggest that ten senior officials from external affairs, commerce ministries and customs department of both the nations will be reviewing infrastructure along both the sides of the border before conducting a meeting with Tripura officials and also ministers until June 13.

Bangladesh's senior commerce ministry official B Shyam said, “Our government is keen to step up trade and business with India, especially with the northeastern states. To support the trade and business, the Bangladesh government is ready to improve its existing infrastructure along the border with India.”

It is believed that both officials of India and Bangladesh would be conducting studies along the international borders with Assam, Meghalaya and Mizoram.

India's High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pankaj Saran undertook a four-day tour of Meghalaya and Tripura to review the border projects, which were decided by India and Bangladesh.