Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) - The duration of river protocol between Bangladesh and India has been extended by another year.
Shipping Secretary of Bangladesh Abdul Mannan Hawladar disclosed this while speaking a press briefing on Sunday in the capital Dhaka.
He said the renewal was made effective from Apr 1.
The trade treaty signed in 1972 with provision for renewal after three years was expired on Mar 31.
The water transit protocol was first signed in 1980 under a bilateral trade agreement which facilitated 'mutually beneficial arrangements' for the use of the waterways for commerce.
A long-term agreement may be signed through negotiations between the two countries as proposed by the Indian government.
Every year India grants BDT 55 million for the maintenance of Doikhawa (Sirajganj) and Karimganj (Sunamganj) river routes for easing transportation of goods to their northeastern states, and Bangladesh has proposed raising the amount from BDT 55 million to BDT 100 million.
Customs wing of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) had earlier proposed mandatory inclusion of bank guarantee for transit goods and imposition of transit fee of BDT 580 for every tone of goods.
The NBR had slapped transshipment/transit fee of BDT 10,000 for per TEU (a twenty-foot equivalent unit) container and BDT 1000 per ton for bulk consignment. But the order was postponed later.
BBN/SSR/AD-03April12-7:40 am (BST)
