Bangladesh for enhanced trade ties with India

SHILLONG: A 16-member delegation of Bangladeshi exporters on Thursday held a series of meetings with Meghalaya Chief Minister Donkupar Roy and officials as part of boosting trade ties with India.

"We invite Indian companies to invest in the proposed SEZ coming up at Sylhet district bordering Meghalaya. We have also offered tourism packages and cultural exchange programmes to boost the ties between the two countries," Nazim Hussain, Vice President of Sylhet Chamber of Commerce and Industries, who headed the delegation, told reporters.

The delegation is expected to sign an MoU with the Exporter Association of Meghalaya for a special tourist package to the neighbouring country at subsidised tariff. Both sides also discussed possibilities of investment by Indian companies in Bangladesh's power sector, garments, tourism and others and vice-verse.

"Meghalaya and some states of the Northeast are pursuing a 'Look South' policy. Bangladesh is the nearest southern country. There is immense potential to enhance trade links between the two countries," Hussain said. He said cultural exchange programmes could go a long way in bringing the countries together.

The delegation has also proposed to bring a cultural troupe to Meghalaya soon. They will also visit Assam and Mizoram.