Mizoram, a landlocked state of India, has shown interest to increase trade ties with Bangladesh.
The government of the Indian state has proposed to set up four border haats along the India-Bangladesh border.
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi told these to reporters on Sunday following a views exchange meeting with Dr R Lalthangliana, health and family welfare, higher and technical education, commerce and industry minister of the state, at the Bangladesh Secretariat.
Currently, Bangladesh has 319 kilometres border link with India’s Mizoram state.
Mizoram requested the Indian government to prioritise the establishment of a border haat in Silsuri among the four locations that were pre-identified.
The timing of this proposal is appropriate as the border haat in Silsuri is located close to Sajek valley in Bangladesh and it would benefit both the countries in tourism-related activities and the spillover benefits for the local populace, according to a powerpoint presentation.
At present, India and Bangladesh have operational border haats, mentioned the presentation.
Both the countries gave priority to develop border connectivity through Sajek valley as it takes half an hour to reach Indian border. The state is interested to use the Chattogram port, a prime seaport of Bangladesh.
The state also proposed to export stones to Bangladesh as there is a huge amount of stones in the northeastern state of India. There is demand of such construction materials in Bangladesh.
The commerce minister stated, “Our prime minister wants to increase border connectivity including trade relations with the Seven Sister States.”
The members of the state delegation have shown interest to set up river connectivity through Barkal, Rangamati.
The commerce minister will visit a border area soon. He will also visit the Mizoram state in late April.
The delegation of Mizoram state had already visited one readymade garment (RMG) factory and a plastic factory in Bangladesh.
“We have huge opportunities to increase trading volume of the two countries. We want to take advantage of this opportunity. There is a huge demand for various products including Bangladeshi RMG products in Mizoram, R Lalthangliana mentioned.
Currently, there is huge demand for Bangladeshi toiletries, juices, fish, meat and electronic items in Mizoram. In the same way, bamboos, wood, ginger, chilies and stones can be imported from Mizoram state.
