Indian security reasons, sensitive and dangerous-भारतीय सुरक्षा की दृष्टि से अतिसंवेदनशील और खतरनाक

Work on opening up BD land port to unlock Nepal trade potential

Bangladeshi and Nepalese businessmen agree that Dhaka and Katmandu should work toward opening up the Banglabandha Land Port, making it the key trade gateway between the two South Asian countries. The agreement came at a discussion meeting in the city, organised on the occasion of the visit by a Nepalese business delegation.  "We should pursue our governments so that they involve India in the discussion for allowing transit and other formalities between Nepal and Bangladesh," Ashok Kumar Temani, the delegation leader, said.  Business leaders underlined the need for starting activities of immigration offices on the both side of the land port.  They said that the issue should put on the regional forum such as SAARC Chamber on a priority basis, which will help all the countries in the region grow together.  The 26-member delegation, led by President of Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BICCI) Ashok Kumar Temani, is now visiting Bangladesh for exploring business potentials.  "The main purpose of our visit is the business development between Nepal and Bangladesh for which we are here to find out the sectors of investment," said Mr Temani.  He also sought the opportunity for the use of Bangladeshi sea ports for their imports and re-export to increase the trade volume between two nations. "We are quite interested for studying the potentials of EPZ and SEZ for investment as we have felt to strengthen these," he said, urging the businessmen of Bangladesh to take the same opportunity in Nepal. First Vice President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Md Jasim Uddin said Nepal has the potential to generate hydro-power.  He said it is encouraging that the Himalayan Kingdom has requested Bangladesh to invest in hydropower projects. Bangladesh has expressed interest to import 1,000 MW electricity from the Saptakosi high dam project of Nepal to meet its ever increasing demand of electricity. He also said Bangladesh and Nepal may collaborate with each other for developing package tourism. Nepal-bound tourists may travel to Bangladesh as part of the package tour. Despite progress in bilateral ties, the volume of trade between the two countries stands at less than $60 million a year. Bangladesh exported $ 4.15 million to Nepal in 2011-12, while imports from the Himalayan nation is almost $27 million. The major exports from Bangladesh include pharmaceuticals, garments, plastics, handicrafts and the major exports from Nepal are largely agricultural products such as pulses, lentils, rice and wheat.

Share

Tweet

.