Dhaka, Delhi working on removal of tariff, non-tariff barriers: Faruk Khan
Tuesday, 13 April 2010
FE Report
Bangladesh and India are working on removing tariff and non-tariff barriers as soon as possible to take trade relations between the two neighbours to a new height, Commerce Minister Faruk Khan said Monday.
"Once the barriers are removed and infrastructure is in place, the entrepreneurs of the two countries will be able to explore their business opportunities properly," said the minister.
He was speaking to a delegation of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) at his office in the capital.
The delegation, led by Syamal Gupta, special adviser of the Indian conglomerate Tata International Limited, comprises representatives from India's top steel makers, automobiles, real estate and IT sectors and is now in the city on a business tour.
The commerce minister said Bangladesh always wants further improvement of trade and investment relations between the two neighbours as was promised by the prime ministers of the two countries earlier this year.
"The trade cooperation between Bangladesh and India can be heightened to any extent," he said.
He also said: "We have already sent letters to India citing the problems our businessmen are facing. Our Indian counterparts have also done that."
Mr Khan said the secretary-level meeting - due in July this year - would particularly focus on tariff and non-tariff barriers and certification issue. "We are lagging behind in terms of removing tariff and non-tariff barriers and improving infrastructure, but we are trying to improve things in those areas as soon as possible."
He said Bangladesh could export 'anything but arms' to Europe. "The Indian businessmen can avail that opportunity through Bangladesh."
Bangladesh and India are working on removing tariff and non-tariff barriers as soon as possible to take trade relations between the two neighbours to a new height, Commerce Minister Faruk Khan said Monday.
"Once the barriers are removed and infrastructure is in place, the entrepreneurs of the two countries will be able to explore their business opportunities properly," said the minister.
He was speaking to a delegation of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) at his office in the capital.
The delegation, led by Syamal Gupta, special adviser of the Indian conglomerate Tata International Limited, comprises representatives from India's top steel makers, automobiles, real estate and IT sectors and is now in the city on a business tour.
The commerce minister said Bangladesh always wants further improvement of trade and investment relations between the two neighbours as was promised by the prime ministers of the two countries earlier this year.
"The trade cooperation between Bangladesh and India can be heightened to any extent," he said.
He also said: "We have already sent letters to India citing the problems our businessmen are facing. Our Indian counterparts have also done that."
Mr Khan said the secretary-level meeting - due in July this year - would particularly focus on tariff and non-tariff barriers and certification issue. "We are lagging behind in terms of removing tariff and non-tariff barriers and improving infrastructure, but we are trying to improve things in those areas as soon as possible."
He said Bangladesh could export 'anything but arms' to Europe. "The Indian businessmen can avail that opportunity through Bangladesh."