India willing to invest in new airport in Bagerhat
Talha bin Habib | Monday, 20 November 2017
India has shown interest to invest in a new airport in Bagerhat and renovation of Saidpur airport.
Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Harsh Vardhan Shringla expressed his country's interest during a meeting with Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon at the latter's Secretariat office in the capital on Sunday.
During the meeting, they also discussed the upcoming Northeast Summit to be held in Imphal, the capital of Indian state of Manipur.
Bangladesh has a huge potential to boost its trade and investments with India especially with its north-eastern states, according to the ministry of civil aviation.
Both the countries will benefit from utilisation of untapped potential, it said.
Mr Menon requested the Indian envoy to take steps for removing complexities at some border points especially Petrapole to help clearing and forwarding (C&F) agents and Bangladeshi citizens having multiple visas to enter India.
Mr Shringla assured the minister of considering his request.
At the Indian envoy's request, the civil aviation minister assured him of reviewing Air Service Agreement (ASA) signed between the two countries in 1978.
The construction of Khan Jahan Ali Airport in Bagerhat and upgradation of Saidpur Airport with Indian cooperation/financial assistance will help boost air connectivity between the two countries.
Besides, it will add a new dimension to investment in maritime, trade and tourism sectors of the two countries.
Issue relating to resumption of air connectivity on the Dhaka-Guwahati-Bagdogra route also came up at the meeting for discussion, but no decision was taken in this regard.
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