NEW DELHI, Feb 11 � India and Bangladesh moved closer on operationalising the transit facilities, with the two sides finalising plans to establish offices of pre-shipment inspection agency of Bangladesh in north eastern region.
Close on the heels of signing of the joint declaration last month during Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina�s visit, the two sides have begun the process of ironing out the details.
A two-day meeting of the Joint Group on Customs (JGC) began deliberations on expediting finalisation of the draft working plan. A Director General discussion level between the two customs administrations is on the cards.
The Bangladesh delegation was headed by Member, National Board of Revenue, Hussain Ahmed, while Indian delegation was led by Members Central Board of Excise and Customs, SK Goal.
Sources said the during the meeting the two sides are scheduled to deliberate on singles point checking of vehicles and drivers in Bangladesh, exchanges of specimens signatures of officials authorised to sign certificate of origin under Free and Preferential Trading Agreement. Extension of time to provide for return of empty vehicles.
Sources said India and Bangladesh on the first day of talks also discussed about permitting import and export of all items through Ghogadanga Land Customs Station, requirement of irradiation certificate and import duty on citrus products in Bangladesh.
India also raised the issue of delay in clearance of vehicles due to checking of fuel in Bangladesh.
As reported, India and Bangladesh have agreed to operationalise land customs stations at Sabroom-Ramgarh and Demagiri-Thegamukh including putting in place necessary infrastructure and issue necessary notifications. Further, with respect to existing land customs stations, it was agreed to take measures for strengthening infrastructure.
It was agreed that border �haats� shall be established on a pilot basis at selected areas, including on the Meghalaya border, to allow trade in specified produces and products and in accordance with the regulations agreed and notified by both governments.
It was agreed that Bangladesh will allow use of Mongla and Chittagong sea ports for movement of goods to and from India through road and rail. Bangladesh also conveyed their intention to give Nepal and Bhutan access to Mongla and Chittagong ports.
It was agreed that the construction of the proposed Akhaura Agartala railway link be financed by grants from India. A joint team of the railway authorities of the two countries will identify the alignment for connectivity.
To encourage imports from Bangladesh, both countries agreed to address removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers and port restrictions and facilitate movement of containerised cargo by rail and water. In this context, Bangladesh welcomed India�s initiative to provide duty-free access to SAARC LDCs to the Indian market. Bangladesh also welcomed the reduction of the number of items from India�s negative list that were of direct interest to Bangladesh and requested for further reduction in the list.
The Prime Ministers agreed that Rohanpur Singabad broad gauge railway link would be available for transit to Nepal. Bangladesh informed of their intention to convert Radhikapur Birol railway line into broad gauge and requested for railway transit link to Bhutan as well.
