India assures smooth market access for Bangladeshi goods
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday said his government would take necessary steps to ensure efficient management of duty-free access for Bangladeshi products to the Indian market.
He came up with the assurance while meeting Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed at Hotel Taj Samudra on the sidelines of the Saarc Summit.
Manmohan said it is the obligation of his country to strike a balance in trade between the two countries.
India has granted duty-free access for 8 million Bangladesh apparel products to its market, as part of measures to bridge the trade gap.
At the meeting, the two leaders were unanimous in their opinion that trade and administrative barriers can be removed through discussions.
“Many things can be solved not only regionally but bilaterally,” Manmohan said.
He observed that the existing good relations between Bangladesh and India have got a further boost in recent months.
Both sides stressed increased connectivity and people-to-people contact, citing tremendous response from the two peoples following the start of train service between Dhaka and Kolkata.
They agreed to share information and expertise to better combat terrorism.
Manmohan said terrorism knows no borders and countries should cooperate with each other to fight the menace.
The chief adviser, at that point, mentioned Bangladesh's firm stand against terrorism and “operational activities to combat terrorism”.
He thanked Manmohan for India's help in the aftermath of Cyclone Sidr and their pledge to build 10 coastal villages in the affected areas as well as lifting its ban on rice export.
Among others, the issue of food security came up for discussion at the meeting. Manmohan said India is ready to share the outcomes of its impressive agricultural research with Bangladesh.
Fakhruddin lauded the Indian prime minister for taking special steps regarding implementation of many things they had discussed on the sidelines of the 14th Saarc Summit in New Delhi last year.
Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury and Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee were also present at the meeting yesterday afternoon.
CA's Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim briefed the newsmen about the meeting.
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