Prospect of Reinforcing Indo-Bangla Ties Should Not Be Bleak: Sheikh Hasina

 

AGARTALA, Bangladesh (NNN-BSS) -- Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said here today that she firmly believed that a new prospect has been ushered in recent times to reinforce Indo-Bangla cooperation, and everybody should remain careful so that the prospect doesn't become bleak.

Addressing a joint meeting of businessmen of Bangladesh and Indian state of Tripura at Bragna Bhaban here this afternoon, she said strong cooperation between Bangladesh and India is crucial for both the countries and real cooperation is possible if political willpower exists.

"I believe, both the countries now have strong political will and I hope that businessmen of the two countries will come forward to give the willpower a real shape for mutual benefit of their people," she said.

Sheikh Hasina, who arrived here early today on a two-day maiden visit to Tripura, said the fate of the people of Bangladesh and India, particularly northeastern part, is tied up with the same string and poverty is the main barrier to their development.

"So, our main focus should be on improving the living conditions of people, and it can be achieved together," she said.

The Confederation of Indian Industry and the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) jointly arranged the meeting in collaboration with the Tripura state government.

Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni, Indian Union Minister for Human Resources Development Kapil Sibal, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarker and Industries Minister Jitendra Chowdhury, FBCCI President AK Azad and CII official Shekhar Dutta spoke at the function, among others.

The Bangladesh Premier said the decisions taken earlier by the two countries have heralded a new era for cooperation in the areas of border demarcation, water management, trade and commerce, communication and development of infrastructure and power sectors.

"The joint declarations during my visit to New Delhi and Dr Manmohan Singh's visit to Dhaka have specified the areas of cooperation" she said, adding a better communication system could play an important role in improving ties between the two next-door neighbours.

She said geographical location of Bangladesh is very important for improving the regional road, rail, water and air links, especially for better communication between India's northeastern states and Nepal and Bhutan.

Sheikh Hasina pointed out that in her first stint in power from 1996-2001, she personally had taken the initiative for Dhaka-Kolkata and Dhaka-Agartala bus services.

"India has already been allowed to use Chittagong and Mongla ports for carrying goods and cargo to Tripura through Ashuganj river port," she added.

She said Bangladesh government has taken a decision to establish a rail link between Akhaura and Agartala and construct a bridge on the Feni river as carrying of cargoes for construction of power plant at Palatana in Tripura has mounted pressure on the existing infrastructure. "Besides, a decision has been taken to build a new land port at Sabrome-Ramgarh point," she said.

The Prime Minister said steps were taken to remove non- tariff barriers, and the officials of the two countries are working together to improve the existing facilities in the land ports and other physical infrastructures on both sides.

Focusing on the huge Indo-Bangla trade gap, Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh is the largest importer of Indian goods in South Asia, which now stands over US$ 3 billion a year, against the size of Indian import of only US$ 250 million.

She thanked the Indian Prime Minister for allowing duty-free access of 46 categories of Bangladeshi garment items to Indian market in the first phase and later all types of items under SAFTA rules.

"The access has created opportunity for Bangladeshi goods to compete with Indian products," she said. Sheikh Hasina requested the businessmen of Tripura to import more goods from Bangladesh and called upon the Indian entrepreneurs to invest in Bangladesh on a larger scale so that people of the both countries benefit.

The Bangladesh Prime Minister revealed that necessary steps are being taken for border haats on Bangladesh-Tripura border to facilitate the producers of the both countries to sell their products at fair price.

She said Bangladesh and Tripura share long common history, language and culture and their ethnicity and values are almost

same.

Expressing the intent to purchase power from Tripura directly or build joint venture power project, Sheikh Hasina said the two countries also have vast prospect for cooperation in the areas of information and communication technology, which the businessmen of the two countries can give a real shape. -- NNN-BSS