ASSAM TIMES POST
Guwahati: A high level delegation of India and Bangladesh will meet here to take forward opportunities created by the signing of major agreements between the two countries during the last year at the two day Stakeholders’ Meet from October 22, Assam Industry and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said on Wednesday.
The Bangladesh delegation comprising 70 members will be led by its Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi and also include two economic advisors of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina while the Indian delegation will comprise Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal along with senior officials of External Affairs, Commerce, Road Transport and Shipping ministries, Patowary said during an interaction with media-persons here.
The Stakeholders meet is being organised by the Act East Policy Affairs Department of Assam government with the support of Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Patowary said.
India and Bangladesh had during the past year signed two historic agreements-BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement and Access of Chittagong and Mongla ports to vessels from North East India- which will result in a lot of opportunities especially for the people of North East, he pointed out.
”The meet would discuss and create awareness on the opportunities made available to exporters and transporters by these path-breaking agreements”, the Minister said.
The meet would also address operational loose ends and harness comprehensive cooperation of all relevant stakeholders to achieve synergy in cross-border trade between Bangladesh and North East India, Patowary pointed out.
”We believe that the meet would provide an extensive fillip to the establishment of business relations not only with Bangladesh but also with South East Asian countries through the ports of Bangladesh”, he said.
India and Bangladesh share bonds of history, culture, language, seclarism and other unique commonalities and increasing connectivity through air, water, rail, road offer mutually beneficial oppurtunity for enhancing economic cooperation between Bangladesh and the North Eastern states.
The Minister further said that they are planning and discussions are on to hold stakeholders meet with Korea and Japan too in the near future.
