DHAKA, Sept 25, 2018 (BSS) – Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed today urged
India to remove all tariff and non-tariff trade barriers to help Bangladesh
increase its exports to the neighbouring country.
“I strongly urge my counterpart to undertake all possible legitimate
actions on their part in order to influence the final outcome,” he said while
addressing a discussion titled ‘Bangladesh-India Trade Relations’ at
Sonargaon in the city.
Indian Commerce and Industries and Civil Aviation Minister Suresh
Prabhu, Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Harsha Vardhan Sringla and Prime
Minister’s Adviser on Private Sector Salman F Rahman were, among others,
present at the discussion.
Observing that Bangladesh and India have enormous potential in the field
of trade and investment, Tofail said: “That’s why I hope that the
relationship between the two neighbours will increase further in the future”.
He said Bangladesh always recognises India’s all-out support and
assistance given during Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War. “We attach great
importance on maintaining the historical relationship with India as well as
improving it further.”
The Commerce Minister said the existing cordial relations between
Bangladesh and India is being reflected in growing bilateral trade and
investment. “Total trade between the two countries increased to US$ 9.49
billion in fiscal 2017-18 from US$ 3.15 billion in fiscal 2009-10,” he said.
Tofail said Bangladesh-India joint venture investment is increasing here
day by day while many Indian companies have already established their
factories in Bangladesh.
“I hope more Indian investment will come in the future. An exclusive
economic zone for Indian entrepreneurs is being facilitated currently by the
Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA),” he said.
Suresh Prabhu said Bangladesh has already achieved a remarkable success
in all socioeconomic indicators, which is unique in the world.
He hoped that the mutual relationship between India and Bangladesh would
increase further in all sectors, including trade and investment.