AGARTALA, Nov 22 - Tripura, which is yet to make a mark in the manufacturing sector, has been gaining ground in the bilateral trade with export volume swelling every passing month.
In the year 2014-15 financial year, the bilateral trade volume stood at Rs 358 crore of which Rs 357 crore was imports and only Rs 1 crore stood as export to Bangladesh, according to State Industries and Commerce department.
However, the opening of two border haats � Srinagar in South district and Kamalsagar in Sepahijala district has come as a major boost in the bilateral trade in favour of the State.
Srinagar border haat, which was inaugurated on January 13 this year has so far recorded a trade volume of Rs 2.59 crore. Of the total trade volume, Indian goods worth Rs 1.86 crore was sold till July 21 this year while Bangladeshi goods worth Rs 73 crore was sold at the border haat.
At Kamalasagar border haat which was opened on June 6 this year, has so far sold items worth Rs 1 crore till August 20. The trend is the same with Srinagar border haat � trade volume of Indian goods is more than that of Bangladeshi items.
Till August 20, Indian goods amounting to Rs 78 crore was sold at Srinagar border haat while Bangladesh items worth Rs 22 crore was sold at the same venue.
�The ongoing trend proves that State�s exports to Bangladesh has gone up after opening of two border haats. What six Land Customs Stations could not deliver, it has done after opening of only two border haats�, said Director, Industries and Commerce VG Jenner here recently.
He said two more border haats are in the pipeline at Raghna (Paul Basti) in Dharmanagar and Kamalpur in Dhalai district.
�Both border haats have already been identified but exact locations are yet to be finalised. District administrations of respective areas are in touch with Bangladesh authorities to select the exact spot for setting up border haats.
�Once the site selection process is over and the Centre releases fund, we will start construction of border haats in both places�, he said.
On Srimantapur LCS in Sonamura subdivision, Jenner said the construction works have already been completed. Now, the new look LCS-Integrated Developed Centre (IDC) is ready for operation.
An amount of Rs l 6 crore has been spent to construct a modest building (IDC) to facilitate bilateral trade and immigration service.
