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Joint survey on Indo-Bangla border points begins in Feb
Siddique Islam
1/23/2006
A joint survey is underway on the India-Bangladesh border points to identify the bottlenecks which have been hindering bilateral trade relations between the two countries.
The public private joint survey of the both countries is likely to be launched from February next to look out the measures for strengthening the bilateral trade relations between the participating countries.
The Federation of India Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) will conduct the survey in association with the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) to facilitate goods and services movements between the two countries.
The FICCI has already formed a high powered team, headed by the Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of the Indian Government, MVPC Shastri, to conduct the survey, sources concerned said.
On the other hand, the FBCCI has almost finalised a ten-member team, headed by a joint secretary of the Commerce Ministry of Bangladesh, to participate in the survey particularly Petrapole in India and Benapole in Bangladesh sides.
"The fresh date of the first meeting of the survey is yet to be finalised," a senior official of the FBCCI told the FE Sunday, adding that the meeting will be held within February.
Sources, however, said date of the first meeting was fixed at January 17 last but it was changed due to Eid holiday.
The Indian side is keenly interested to meet within third or fourth weeks of the next month, the sources added.
Under the survey, the joint team will visit the border points to take note of the bottlenecks that have been existing on both sides of the border and thereafter submit a report to both the governments suggesting some corrective actions which will help facilitate seamless movements of goods and services between the two countries.
The trade position, however, is still in favour of India and the trade gap between the two countries stood at US$ 1.864 billion in fiscal 2004-05 despite taking different trade promotional measures by the concerned authorities.
Trade gap between the two countries shot up alarmingly during fiscal year of 2004-05. In this fiscal, Bangladesh export to India stood at $144.19 million against import of $2.009 billion, leaving a gap of $1.864 billion.
In the fiscal 2003-04, the trade gap in favour of India stood at $1.510 billion. In this fiscal, Bangladesh export and import from India were $89.27 million and $1.599 billion respectively.
The trade gap between India and Bangladesh was about $150 million in favour of India in 1990-91. In this fiscal Bangladesh export to India was $31.06 million against a import of $180.65 million.
Bangladesh mainly exports chemical fertilizer, frozen fish, jute products, woven garments, betel nuts, leathers and toilet soap to India.
On the other hand, Bangladesh imports different items includes vegetable products, textile and textile articles, mineral products, products of the chemical, prepared foodstuffs, beverage, sprits and vinegar, vehicles aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment from India.
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