DHAKA: To enhance Indo-Bangla trade relations, a permanent market for Bangladesh traders was inaugurated at a trade centre in Agartala of neighboring India on Monday.

The market would remain a milestone in improving trade relations in particular and neighbourly relations in general, Chairperson of Agartala Municipal Corporation, Prafullajit Sinha, said after inaugurating the market at Bipani Bitan.

“Relationships are always based on give and take. When we welcome Bangladesh traders to explore market in our State, we would also be looking for transit through Bangladesh,” Sinha said.

The Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) in collaboration with the State’s Industry and Commerce Department is organising ‘Bangladesh Expo 2013’ at the Bangladesh Market beginning today, and which would continue for seven days.

“We were given 18 stalls by the State Government where we would showcase Bangladesh goods and also try for creating a proper market for Bangladesh goods,” Chairman of Bangladesh Market Ltd, Mahbub Islam Runu, said.

Former Vice-President of FBCCI, Abul Kashem Ahmed, who led the Bangladesh traders, said, both Bangladesh and India can gain from connectivity, transshipment and transit which needs to be implemented on a reciprocal basis.

Replying to a question, Kashem said, “Some political quarters in our country are trying to create confusion that there was a security threat to the country if the north-eastern region is allowed transit through Bangladesh which has no basis. Rather, if transit is given, Bangladesh would get billions of money as transit fee.”

Source: thehindubusinessline.com
BDST: 1048 HRS, OCT 08, 2013
RS/BSK