‘Remove barriers to free trade with Bangladesh’

Commerce Minister Tipu Mushi on Monday stressed the need for removing barriers in the bilateral trade between Bangladesh and India, according to a press release.

Bangladesh imports a good number of essential commodities from India, and the country is the second largest business partner of Bangladesh, he mentioned.

The volume of Bangladesh's bilateral trade with India has climbed to $8.9 billion from $5.1 billion over the past one decade, the minister said, adding, "So, it is highly necessary that the supply of products should remain free of obstacles, the minister said. 

"Traders of both the countries should come forward to figure out the existing business difficulties and solve them accordingly," Tipu Munshi added. 

If the problems are solved, the businesses will gain pace which will benefit both the countries, added the commerce minister. 

"India should take necessary measures so that there are no obstacles in the supply chain of emergency goods due to the outbreak of Covid-19. The policy making level of the government should take necessary steps for smooth continuation of export and import in private sector. 

"Especially, there should be no impacts on trading with Bangladesh and Northeast India. Measures are underway to remove the not-tariff barriers for both the countries," said Tipu Munshi, commerce minister of Bangladesh. 

The minister was addressing videoconference - Vision Meghalaya, Vision Northeast India Bangladesh Partnership - at the ministry organised by Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry of India.

Jitendra Singh, minister of state for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region and Minister of State for Prime Minister's Office; Riva Ganguly Das, Indian ambassador to Bangladesh, among others, participated at the videoconference.