BD agrees to raise number of border \'haats\', trading amount

Talha Bin Habib | Published: October 14, 2016 00:00:00 | Updated: October 13, 2016 21:55:06

Bangladesh has finalised proposed amendments to existing memorandum of understanding (MoU) to set up new border 'haats' (temporary markets with a fixed time) and their mode of operation. These will now be sent to India for its consent, officials said.
The finalised amendments on the Bangladesh side include raising of the amount of border 'haat' trading (a day in a week) by a single vendor to US$200 from the existing $100, increase in the frequency of border 'haats' (time and date) and number of vendors on both sides of the border, they added. Â
"We have finalised our draft amendment proposal on border 'haats'. It will soon be sent to India through the ministry of foreign affairs," senior secretary of the ministry of commerce (MoC) Hedayetullha Al Mamoon told the FE. Â
Earlier, Bangladesh and India signed an memorandum of understanding (MoU) on mode of operation of border 'haats' and setting up of new border 'haats' in 2010.
During Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to India in 2010, Bangladesh and India agreed on setting up of border 'haats' on a pilot basis at selected areas.
Bangladesh and India signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) and the mode of operation of border 'haats' across the border of the two countries on October 23, 2010. Â
Subsequently, an addendum to the mode of operation of border 'haats' across the border between Bangladesh and India was also signed on May 15, 2012.
Â Four border 'haats' at Kalaichar (Meghalaya- Bangladesh border), Balat (Meghalaya-Bangladesh border), Kamalasagar (Tripura-Bangladesh border) and Srinagar (Tripura- Bangladesh border) are now operational.
The 'haats' are operated within 150 yards of the zero line of the international border with one part on the Indian side and the other in Bangladesh.
Trading takes place once a week among the people living within five-kilometre radius of the border.
Equal number of traders (25) from both sides is allowed to sell and buy locally produced crops and goods.
But Bangladesh has proposed in the amendment to raise the number to 50.
No local tax is levied on the items sold and currencies of both the countries are accepted.
Some 16 items had been shortlisted for trading at the 'haats'.
The items include agricultural and horticultural products, spices, minor forest products (excluding timber), fresh and dry fish, dairy and poultry products, cottage industry commodities, handloom and handicraft products, garments and others.
Bangladesh has also proposed in its amendments to India for trading of new items such as footwear, soft drink and others at the border 'haats'.
Both the governments have agreed to further establish two border 'haats' in Tripura and four in Meghalaya on the Bangladesh border.
India proposed to set up 22 more border 'haats' in a joint working group meeting on trade between the two countries in 2013.
Bangladesh proposed to set up 'haats' in four suitable places Companiganj (Sylhet)-East Khas Hills (Meghalaya), Tahirpur (Sunamganj)-South West Khas Hills (Meghalaya), Dhubaura (Mymensingh)-South Garo Hills ( Meghalaya) and Ryngkua (Sunamganj)-East Khasi Hills (Meghalaya). Â
The border 'haats', a traditional system of marketing, came into effect to facilitate people in the remote areas of the frontier between the two countries.
Besides, these (border 'haats') promote the well-being of the people dwelling in remote areas across the borders of the two countries, by establishing traditional system of marketing the local produce through local markets in local currency or barter basis.
Meghalaya and other northeastern states are surrounded by Bangladesh, Myanmar, Bhutan and China on three sides and the only land route access to these states from within India is through Assam and West Bengal.
The lengthy route through Assam passes through hilly terrain with steep roads and multiple hairpin bends. Four northeastern states - Tripura, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Assam - share a 1,880 km border with Bangladesh, while Meghalaya shares a 443 km border with the country.
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