Transit to help promote Indo-Bangla business

Transit and transshipment facilities can help both India and Bangladesh promote business and investment enormously, especially in seven northeastern Indian states, including Tripura.
"As the word 'transit' has become politicised, it should be given a different connotation to avert unnecessary debate," Chief Minister (CM) of Tripura Manik Sarkar said at a meeting between Tripura government and three leading trade bodies of Bangladesh at Agartala on Wednesday.
A seven-member team, including Industries and Commerce Minister of Tripura Jitendra Chowdhury, Chairman of the Northeast Council of the Confederation of Indian Industries Dipanker Chatterjee and President of the Tripura Chamber of Commerce and Industry ML Chatterjee, participated in the talks.
A 21-member high-profile business delegation of the India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IBCCI), the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI) and the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCC) led by President of the IBCCI Abdul Matlub Ahmed attended the meeting.
The Tripura CM said Bangladeshis can use Tripura as the gateway for paving the way for Bangladeshi products to the seven northeastern states and should allow India to carry goods through Bangladesh protecting its interest.
Manik Sarkar said the eventual expansion of potential trade, commerce and investment opportunities would require improved infrastructure on both the sides of the international border.
The CM said besides trade and investment, Bangladesh can import power as Tripura has now surplus power and has an immediate plan to set up a giant plant to generate huge amount of electricity.
Responding to a question, after the meeting, Manik Sarkar said, "The move of Bangladesh for setting a task force to combat terrorism in South Asia is positive."
Matlub Ahmed, also chairman of the Nitol-Niloy Group, sought removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers to ease exports of Bangladeshi goods, including garments, melamine products, medicine, toiletries, biscuits, soft drinks, cement and MS rods. He also expressed willingness to set up bamboo and rubber-based industries in Tripura.
A seven-member task force was formed with representatives from Bangladesh and Tripura at the meeting for identifying prospects and hindrances to expansion of business and investment. The task force will submit its report within three months.