Trade with Bangladesh from Tripura picks up with improved connectivity

Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Anupriya Patel, recently announced that exports from Tripura to Bangladesh are on the rise.Tripura is ranked fourth among Himalayan states in terms of exports to foreign nations, especially Bangladesh.

Ms.Patel visited different parts of Sepahijala district on the Indo Bangladesh border and reviewed the progress of development initiatives and centrally-sponsored welfare schemes in the district. Apart from sharing an 856-km international border with Bangladesh, Sepahijala district has a Land Customs Station with the neighboring country and an inland waterways connectivity port. Tripura, which is surrounded by foreign countries on three sides, has a good scope for bilateral trade development.

Patel said her department has formed a comprehensive strategy to develop bilateral trade in the region. She said further funding for infrastructure development of Border Haats, setting up Special Economic Zones (SEZ), unity malls and land customs stations to facilitate border trade and economic growth would be done.

Meanwhile, India’s Ministry of External Affairs Joint Secretary (Bangladesh and Myanmar) Ms.SmitaPanth had participated in a conference recently on exploring new trade routes from India’s northeast to the Bay of Bengal via the Bangladesh Transit Agreement, according to media reports.  It focused on boosting historical connectivity between India and Bangladesh with stress on logistical challenges that hinder trade, including high transportation costs.

Trade volume with Bangladesh reached 18 billion US dollars and said efficient connectivity routes like rail and inland water transport are focused on reducing environmental pollution and cost reduction. The official also reviewed the progress of forthcoming connectivity routes with Bangladesh such as the Agartala-Akhaura rail route in West Tripura and said bilateral connectivity projects were given significant financial commitments.