To enhance trade between India and Bangladesh, Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Sheikh Hasina recently underscored the need for removal of non-tariff barriers, upgradation of infrastructure and facilities of the land customs stations and land ports in a coordinated manner and harmonisation of standards and mutual recognition of agreements and certificates.
At the invitation of Hasina, Modi paid a visit to Bangladesh on 26 and 27 March to join the celebrations of the golden jubilee of the independence of Bangladesh, the birth centenary of the father of the nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Bangladesh requested India to lift the new policy of Indian customs stipulating verification of certificates of origin issued from Bangladesh. India conveyed that under the provisions of the new customs rules, in the event of a conflict between a provision of these rules and rules of origin of a trade agreement, the provisions of the rules of origin of the trade agreement shall prevail.
India reiterated its request for at least one major land port without port restrictions or with negative list of restrictions, on the border with North Eastern region of India for easier market access, starting with the integrated check post at Agartala-Akhaura.
The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institute (BSTI) and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) would collaborate for the capacity building and development of testing and lab facilities, according to an official release.
Bangladesh invited Indian investment in jute mills under public-private partnership, while India urged the former to remove existing practices that deter Indian companies from participating in tenders floated by various government departments there.
