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Stakeholders meet to help remove trade barriers

By Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Oct 23 - The first India-Bangladesh Stakeholders meeting today ended on a positive note with a slew of recommendations, which included development of border infrastructure and addressing trade barriers as both the neighbours resolved to continue engagements to expand bilateral trade, economic cooperation and connectivity.

At the end of two-day meet which saw a 90-member delegation from Bangladesh, participants proposed constitution of a joint task force to monitor the developments on issues flagged during the sessions on a regular basis.

Assam�s Act East Policy Affairs Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said the meet was to revive lost ties between the two neighbours and exploit each other�s opportunities.

Asserting that the access to Bangladesh�s Chittagong and Mongla ports would herald a �bright future� for the North East, Patowary said the flight service between Guwahati and Dhaka which was suspended days after launch would be restored within fifteen days.

�The suspension was due to rescheduling of flights by SpiceJet. We have discussed the issue with the Central government and it is likely to be restored within fifteen days,� he said, adding the bus service between Assam and Bangladesh was also on the agenda.

Pointing out at the needs of Bangladesh in the health and education sectors, Patowary said Assam would hold road shows in the neighbouring country on these sectors as well as tourism to highlight the State�s resources and potential.

He requested Bangladesh government to give assess to the Cox Bazar internet gateway at a lower cost.

An official informed that for the SOP on use of Chattogram and Mongla ports to be functional, the administrative fee need to be finalized and it will be taken up at the next shipping secretary level talks

Chairman of Chittagong Port Authority Rear Admiral Zulfiqur Aziz said the Chhitagong port was expanding fast and Bangladesh needs to know the demand forecast for the next ten years to accommodate India�s need.

Addressing the valedictory function, Union Minister Rameshwar Teli said Bangladesh needs to hold a similar stakeholders� meet in their country.

�With a population of 130 crore, India is a big market and we seek investment from Bangladesh as well. We want to enhance the trade ties so that North East develops and the government is willing to support any such initiative,� Teli said.

The Food Processing Industries Minister also announced 50 per cent subsidy to Bangladesh investors in the mega food parks being set up in the country.

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