Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal has urged India to remove non-tariff barriers (NTBs) in order to boost bilateral trade between the two countries.
The tariff and non-tariff barriers are affecting Bangladesh's exports to India, he said during a meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Monday evening.
If India creates a balanced environment considering the huge trade deficit between the two neighbouring nations, people of both the countries and this region will be benefited, he added.
The meeting was held on the sidelines of the Indian Ocean Conference 2018 that began in Hanoi on Monday, the planning ministry's spokesperson Gazi Tawhidul Islam said in a statement.
Mustafa Kamal, now visiting Vietnam to participate in the conference, urged the Indian minister to enhance her country's investment in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh has already earmarked some 1000 acres of land at Mirsarai in Chittagong for creating investment opportunities, he said.
The planning minister also called on India to help Bangladesh repatriate Rohingya refugees to Myanmar.
"Bangladesh has expressed its belief that India would continue to cooperate with Bangladesh in resolving this long-standing issue and put meaningful pressure on Myanmar so that Myanmar takes back its nationals speedily, unconditionally and in a safe, sustainable and dignified manner," said the minister.
Highlighting the recent successes in collaboration between the two countries in the energy sector, Mr. Kamal hoped that India will continue its cooperation with Bangladesh in ensuring energy security.
Referring to a possible tri-lateral understanding on hydropower cooperation among Bangladesh, India and Bhutan, he also sought support from India to Bangladesh's initiative for collaboration with Nepal and Bhutan in the power sector.
At the meeting, the planning minister also reiterated Bangladesh's 'zero tolerance' policy towards terrorism and violent extremism.
