High-level Indian, Bangladeshi delegations to meet next week

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and his Bangladeshi counterpart Tipu Munshi will lead delegations of the two countries to a meeting here next week to discuss the opportunities created following the signing of agreements on cargo movement, Assam minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said on Wednesday.

Besides Goyal, senior officials of the ministries of external affairs, commerce, road transport and shipping will attend the two-day Stakeholders' Meet from October 22.

Munshi will lead a 70-member delegation which will include two economic advisors of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Assam industry and commerce minister said.

India and Bangladesh have signed two major agreements since last year.

The BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal) Motor Vehicles Agreement was inked aiming at facilitating the movement of cargo across borders of these countries.

A Standard Operating Procedure was signed for the use of Chattogram (Chittagong) and Mongla ports for movement of goods to and from India.

"The meet would discuss and create awareness on the opportunities made available to exporters and transporters by these path-breaking agreements," Patowary said.

The meet would also address operational loose ends and harness comprehensive cooperation of all stakeholders to achieve synergy in trade between Bangladesh and North East India, he said.

"We believe that the meet would provide a fillip to the establishment of business relations not only with Bangladesh but also with South East Asian countries through the ports of Bangladesh," he said.

The Stakeholders' Meet is being organised by the Act East Policy Affairs Department of Assam government with the support of Union ministry of commerce and industry.