India seeks stronger trade ties with Bangladesh

The Indian deputy high commissioner has called for stronger trade and investment ties between Bangladesh and India, urging both countries to remove tariff and non-tariff barriers and build closer links between businesses.

Pawan Badhe made the call during a courtesy meeting with Md Fazlul Hoque, administrator of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), at the federation’s Gulshan office in Dhaka yesterday.

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Pawan proposed forming a business-to-business task force to strengthen cooperation between the private sectors of the two countries.

He said his office was in regular contact with the governments of Bangladesh and India to speed up the formation of the task force. He also sought support from Bangladesh’s private sector, led by the FBCCI.

Pawan also said visa procedures for Bangladeshi travellers to India had been eased and that the Indian high commission was issuing numerous visas every day.

The FBCCI administrator said a joint task force could help boost bilateral trade and deepen cooperation between the two countries.

He urged businesses and entrepreneurs from Bangladesh and India to work together to increase investment and trade in emerging and promising sectors.

The meeting comes as businesses in both countries seek to expand commercial ties and address barriers to cross-border trade.