NEW DELHI, Sept 28 - Union Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu today said that India and Bangladesh have proposed early conclusion of a Compressive Economic Cooperation Agreement to boost bilateral trade and investment and set an example for giving a fillip to regional trade in South Asia.
Speaking at the launch of the World Bank Group�s Regional Trade Report at Federation House, on return from his Bangladesh visit, Prabhu said that India and Bangladesh have agreed to upgrade trade logistics for seamless movement of cargo. India would be willing to engage with its South Asian neighbours to reap the advantages emanating from similar agro-climatic conditions, topography and crop cultivation.
He urged the World Bank to explore the potential offered by trade and services in the region. On his part, Prabhu said that he had invited the Bangladesh Commerce Minister and senior officials next month to identify the opportunities of investment from India to Bangladesh.
Presenting a snapshot of the Regional Trade Report, Dr Sanjay Kathuria, Lead Economist and Coordinator, South Asia Regional Integration, the World Bank Group, said regional cooperation can help India to more than triple its trade with South Asia from the current level of $ 19.1 billion to $ 62.4 billion.
