Bangladesh and India need stronger trade and investment ties: Indian Deputy HC

Indian Deputy High Commissioner (HC) to Bangladesh Pawan Kumar Badhe today called for expanding bilateral trade and investment, removing tariff and non-tariff barriers and further strengthening commercial connectivity between Bangladesh and India.

He made the call during a courtesy call with Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Administrator Md. Fazlul Hoque at the FBCCI Gulshan office here.

The Indian Deputy High Commissioner stressed the need to form a business-to-business (B2B) task force to facilitate trade and investment between the two countries.

He said his office has been maintaining regular communication and holding discussions with the governments of both countries to expedite the process of forming the task force.

He also sought cooperation from Bangladesh's private sector, under the leadership of FBCCI, to make the initiative effective, said an FBCCI press release.

Badhe said India has currently eased visa procedures for Bangladeshis travelling to India. The Indian High Commission in Dhaka is issuing around 5,000 visas daily, he added.

FBCCI Administrator Md. Fazlul Hoque said a joint task force could play an effective role in increasing bilateral trade and strengthening mutual cooperation between Bangladesh and India.

He called on businesses and entrepreneurs of both countries to work together to promote investment and trade in emerging and promising sectors.

The meeting discussed ways to further strengthen commercial relations and expand business opportunities between the two neighbouring countries.