A move is underway to make the two -way trade between Bangladesh and India through land-ports more easier and vibrant, according to sector insiders.
Under the move, the government officials and businesses of the two countries will sit today (Sunday) at a seminar in the capital to discuss land port issues for facilitating Indo- Bangla trade.
India- Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IBCCI) will hold the seminar on 'addressing land port issues for better Indo- Bangla trade'.
Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan will be present as the chief guest at the seminar.
The High Commissioner of India in Dhaka Harsh Vardhan Shringla and chairman of Bangladesh Land Port Authority (BLPA) Tapan Kumar Chakravorty will also be present in today's event. Executive Director of CUTS International, Jaipur, India Bipul Chatterjee will present a keynote paper on the issue.
"We will sit with the stakeholders to discuss land ports-related issues, " Chairman of Bangladesh Land Port Authority (BLPA) Tapan Kumar Chakravorty said.
He said that BLPA, a ministry of shipping entity, is trying to resolve the problems related with the land ports.
President of IBCCI Abdul Matlub Ahmad said that long tailback of goods laden trucks (imported from India) on Petrapole land port of India is causing intolerable delay and enforce the local traders to bear extra cost.
He suggested to reduce greater dependency on Petrapole - Benapole land ports and to look at other land ports and maritime connectivity for gearing up smooth import and export activities between Bangladesh and India.
Bangladesh annually imports goods amounting to US $ 6.5 billion plus from India through Petrapole (India) and Benapole (Bangladesh) land ports. Bangladesh exports goods to India around $ 700 million annually.
"We should look at other land ports and maritime connectivity for conducting smooth import and export activities," he said.
Land ports of Benapole, Burimari, Akhaura, Bhomra, Nakugaon, Sonamasjid, Hili, Banglabandha, Teknaf, Bibirbazar and Tamabil land-ports are now operational.
Development works of Biral, Dharshana, Bilonia, Gobarkura- Koroitala, Rmagarh, Sonahat, Tegamokh, Chilahati, Doulatganj, Danuakamalpur, Sheola and Balla are now underway.
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