Business leaders term PM's India visit 'successful'
Saturday, 16 January 2010
Leaders of the business community have termed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's recent visit to India 'very successful' and said the visit has opened up a new horizon in the bilateral relations, reports BSS.
This visit has created trust and confidence in bilateral relations removing mistrust and suspicion, they said and stressed the need for making good use of the possibilities created by the Prime Minister's visit.
The business leaders think that duty-free access of 47 more Bangladeshi products to the Indian market would create a big opportunity for the country.
They said the decision to allow India to use Chittagong and Mongla seaports would enhance development and capacity of the ports along with the country's economic prosperity.
They also welcomed the decision to introduce border trade or 'shimanto haat' between the two countries.
Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) President Annisul Haq said the Prime Minister's visit has created adequate scopes to realise trade facilities from the Indian market. Now the country would have to develop capability to utilise the scopes.
He said infrastructure facilities would have to be developed to provide the neighbouring countries with port facilities.
The apex trade body chief expressed the hope that India would invest in power, infrastructure and large industry in Bangladesh and take initiative to reduce trade gap as promised during the Prime Minister's visit.
Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Abdus Salam Murshedi said the Prime Minister's India visit was very significant to resolve outstanding issues between the two countries.
This visit had removed psychological barriers and opened up a new chapter in bilateral relations, he added.
He said Bangladesh-India trade would expand and Bangladesh would be able to draw the attention of the world community, if the scopes created by the Prime Minister's visit could be utilised.
The BGMEA chief welcomed the decision to give duty-free access of 47 products to the Indian market.
FBCCI senior vice-president Abul Qashem appreciated the decision to introduce border trade with India.
He also said the decision to import power from India was a positive step.
This visit has created trust and confidence in bilateral relations removing mistrust and suspicion, they said and stressed the need for making good use of the possibilities created by the Prime Minister's visit.
The business leaders think that duty-free access of 47 more Bangladeshi products to the Indian market would create a big opportunity for the country.
They said the decision to allow India to use Chittagong and Mongla seaports would enhance development and capacity of the ports along with the country's economic prosperity.
They also welcomed the decision to introduce border trade or 'shimanto haat' between the two countries.
Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) President Annisul Haq said the Prime Minister's visit has created adequate scopes to realise trade facilities from the Indian market. Now the country would have to develop capability to utilise the scopes.
He said infrastructure facilities would have to be developed to provide the neighbouring countries with port facilities.
The apex trade body chief expressed the hope that India would invest in power, infrastructure and large industry in Bangladesh and take initiative to reduce trade gap as promised during the Prime Minister's visit.
Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Abdus Salam Murshedi said the Prime Minister's India visit was very significant to resolve outstanding issues between the two countries.
This visit had removed psychological barriers and opened up a new chapter in bilateral relations, he added.
He said Bangladesh-India trade would expand and Bangladesh would be able to draw the attention of the world community, if the scopes created by the Prime Minister's visit could be utilised.
The BGMEA chief welcomed the decision to give duty-free access of 47 products to the Indian market.
FBCCI senior vice-president Abul Qashem appreciated the decision to introduce border trade with India.
He also said the decision to import power from India was a positive step.