India interested in setting up food safety lab in Bangladesh for ease of traders
After setting up the lab, the two countries will issue certificates on food safety to each other
India has proposed to set up a food safety lab in Bangladesh through a bilateral agreement to reduce the suffering of traders of both countries in import and export of food products.
After setting up the lab, the two countries will issue food safety certificates to each other, while remaining cognizant of existing rules and regulations.
As the chief guest at a meeting with Chattogram businessmen on Sunday, Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami referred to Chittagong as a centre of excellence for trade and commerce and said the city has huge potential for trade and commerce due to its seaport facilities.
To leverage this potential, Chattogram-based traders need to increase contact with Indian traders, like Dhaka-Delhi. As a result, trade and commerce will increase, and the friendship between India and Bangladesh will be more secure and sustainable in the long-term, he added.
The meeting, organised by the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), was held at the Bangabandhu Conference Room at the World Trade Centre, with CCCI President Mahbubul Alam in the chair.
Stressing the importance of boosting trade between the two countries, he said there are opportunities in Bangladesh for Indian businessmen to invest in heavy-light tools, automobiles, medical and pharmaceuticals. Also, since Chattogram has land, sea, and rail connectivity for transporting goods, there is immense potential for exporting goods to North East India.
Referring to road and rail connectivity and river transport facilities, he said the two countries were working on the northern rivers. In the meantime, the two countries have jointly funded dredging to speed up the transport of goods on the Rivers Jamuna and Kushiyara.
Other projects are also underway. At present, India is interested in any infrastructural development in the Chattogram region. In addition, India and Bangladesh can jointly produce vaccines to meet the demand for vaccines in South Asia, he added.
In the meantime, speakers called for overcoming bureaucratic complications in bringing goods via Benapole and Petrapol ports. Business in both countries will be more dynamic if issues at the land port are removed.
At the same time, traders urged parties concerned to implement the Safta agreement and increase the acceptability of digital certificates in the trade.
Rather than merely emphasizing connectivity, traders stressed on strengthening the relationship between the people of Bangladesh and India. A shirt, which is available in Bangladesh at $15, costs $21 in India. Most people in India are unaware of this. If they knew this, they would export these products from Bangladesh.
Among others, BCRM Managing Director Amir Ali Hossain; Chamber Directors SM Abu Tayyab, Anjan Shekhar Das, Mohammad Mohiuddin Chowdhury, Mohammad Nazmul Karim Chowdhury Sharun, Syed Mohammad Tanvir; Additional Commissioner of Chittagong Customs Abu Noor Rashed Ahmed; Executive Director of Bangladesh Bank Mohammad Ahmad Ali; Mask Bangladesh Country Operations Manager Tanim Shahriarl Women's Chamber Senior Co-President Abida Mostafa; and Co-President Dr Munal Mahbub were present on the occasion.