DHAKA, March 1, 2022 (BSS) - The Commerce Secretary level meeting 
Bangladesh and India will be held on March 4 in New Delhi which is expected 
to discuss a wide range of issues like expansion of bilateral trade.

   The meeting is also expected to discuss on how to boost cooperation in 
removing non-tariff barriers alongside forging strong economic cooperation.

   Senior Secretary of the Commerce Ministry Tapan Kanti Ghosh will led the 
Bangladesh delegation while Indian Commerce Secretary B. V. R. Subrahmanyam 
will led the Indian delegation.

   Prior to the secretary-level meeting, the joint working group meeting 
between the representatives of the two countries will be held on March 2 and 
3.

   Talking to BSS, Commerce Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh said that in this 
edition of meeting, Bangladesh would mainly focus on expanding the bilateral 
trade, especially to removing the non-tariff barriers.

   He said that during the COVID-19 pandemic, goods and raw materials were 
imported from India by train, but after offloading those, the empty 
containers went back to India where there is a scope for exporting goods from 
Bangladesh.

   "But for this, there is a need for taking approval from the Indian 
authority," Tapan said adding that Bangladesh would make proposal so that 
export operations could be made through these empty containers.

   Besides, he said demands would be raised so that Bangladesh could enjoy 
duty free access of products in Indian market after LDC graduation.

   Officials said India wants to assist Bangladesh in setting up a container 
handling center in Sirajganj from where it would be possible to ensure smooth 
container handling management.