Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal calls for Restoring Riverine Waterways

GUWAHATI: To carry forward the good beginning unleashed by the ‘India-Bangladesh Stakeholders Meet for Trade and Connectivity’, both Assam and Bangladesh vowed to work on the areas like garment industry, health tourism, IT and education sectors among others for the mutual benefits of both the geographical territories.

Holding a meeting with the Minister of Commerce, Government of Bangladesh Tipu Munshi and his delegation on the sidelines of the second day of the meet in his office chamber in Janata Bhawan on Wednesday, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his Government is committed to enhance the bilateral relations between the nations, stated a Janasanyog press release.

While hailing the dynamism and bold leadership of Chief Minister Sonowal, Bangladesh Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi said that the positive environment generated in trade and connectivity between Assam and Bangladesh is reportedly the best in 30 years. He also stated that in this backdrop both Assam and Bangladesh should work positively to strengthen the economic ties between Assam and Bangladesh. He also said that of late the political relation between India and Bangladesh has turned into business relations. Considering the geographical proximity of Assam with Bangladesh, both the geographical entities should open up to feed the business needs of the people living in Assam and Bangladesh.

Chief Minister Sonowal stressed on restoring the trade links between Assam and Bangladesh. He also said that the ports in Bangladesh need to be linked with Assam through Brahmaputra-Barak-Padma-Meghna riverine waterways to facilitate the economic growth in the region. He also outlined the need of restoring rail connectivity between North East and Bangladesh.

Sonowal also reiterated hammering out all modalities to decide the standard operating procedures (SOP) to ensure speedy implementation of agreements, which would ensure access to Chattogram and Mongla Ports of Bangladesh for the northeast, and execution of the BBIN motor vehicle agreement.

With reference to the garment industry, education, medical and Information Technology, Sonowal maintained that unless there is a seamless connectivity between Assam and Bangladesh any joint ventures on these sectors would not be successful. He, therefore, urged the delegation to put its best possible wisdom to take Assam-Bangladesh ties altogether to a new height.

Bangladesh Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi said that such a meet will also be organized in Bangladesh to facilitate Business to Business, Business to Consumer, Business to Government, and Government to Consumer interaction.

Chief Minister Sonowal later met a 14-member delegation of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry at his office.

Also Watch: Several injured in Head-on collision between Dumper Truck and Wagon R in Kampur