Meghalaya CM Conrad K Sangma Holds Talks with Bangladesh Honchos

Staff Correspondent

Shillong: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and his team had talks with business honchos of Bangladesh in Dhaka on Thursday. During the interactions, Sangma laid stress on better bilateral economic engagement between Bangladesh and Meghalaya.

According to a release issued by the Chief Minister’s Office, Sangma stated that the bilateral trade between India and Bangladesh is touching $10 billion dollars with India and Meghalaya contribution is a mere 0.7 per cent.

He said, “We fell there is some gap in the system, in our communication and our initiative that we need to work on. There is a room full of people doing so many things and so many activities happening and individuals are taking initiatives at their own level but there was not a systematic or organized way the government was facilitating on both sides to make the connection better.”

After meeting with the Commissioners, Sangma felt that this interaction is a good start to take the matter of trade forward.

Speaking with the Chairman of PRAN company, the team was glad to learn about their products and was impressed to see the kind of enterprise. “He leads by example by showing us what happens if we stay committed to work and the vision that we believe in. That is the kind of commitment that I want to take forward and if we have a partnership to see what products from Meghalaya can be used in his processing plant or if he can set up industries in our State to process the products that we have, that will be a great opportunity,” said Conrad.

Talking about the 21 million metric tons of clinkers that Bangladesh needs for the cement production where about 15 million metric tons is imported from other regions of the world, Sangma informed that Meghalaya has almost 1 billion metric tons of limestone deposits and it is an area, Meghalaya and Bangladesh can both benefit from.

The CMO office statement also informed that Meghalaya has tied up with SIAL for the next five years to host a food show in the State with the first North East Food Show to be held in Shillong from December 4 to 6 this year. It will be a great opportunity for everyone in the food industry where more than 300 companies, different countries and up to 3,000 farmers will participate.

“In the textile sector, Meghalaya is focusing on the potential of natural fibre including pineapple and banana and we are working on muga silk. With Bangladesh’s knowledge and expertize in the textile and garment industry and with the kind of experience and market accessibility that it has, it can add great value to our mission in Meghalaya and it has the potential to benefit both Meghalaya and Bangladesh,” the Chief Minister said.

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