Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- A Bangladesh-India commerce secretary- level meeting is set to begin on Wednesday in a city hotel to discuss ways of expediting bilateral trade between the two countries.
“We’ll discuss trade potential and ways for removing bottlenecks at the meeting,” a senior member of Bangladesh team for the trade talks told the BBN in Dhaka.
Sources, however, said anti-dumping duties imposed by India on some Bangladeshi products are expected to come up prominently for discussion at the meeting.
Besides, recognition of BSTI certification, stock of Indian Rupee (INR) because of demonetization, utilization of Indian air-cargo space for Bangladesh’s export to third countries and Lilliput Kidswear issue have already been put on the agenda.
On the other hand, the Indian side is set to discuss different matters including enhancement of bilateral trade, removal of port restrictions, other trade infrastructure-related issues, BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal) initiatives and export of sugar to Bangladesh, they added.
They also said progress in opening new border haats and future expansion plans are set to be discussed at the meeting.
“An announcement of setting up two more border haats is expected to come from the meeting,” another Bangladesh team member told the BBN in Dhaka.
Commerce secretary of Bangladesh Shubhashis Basu will head the 16-memeber host team in the two-day meet while his counterpart Rita Teaotia will lead the Indian side.
The Indian official delegation has already arrived in the capital, Dhaka.
The last bilateral Indo-Bangladesh commerce secretary-level meeting took place in New Delhi on November 15-16, 2016.
India-Bangladesh bilateral merchandise trade stood at $6.16 billion in the fiscal year (FY) 2016-17, up from $5.45 billion in FY16.
Bangladesh’s exports to India fetched $672.40 million against imports costing $6.16 billion, widening the trade gap to $5.49 billion in FY 17.
BBN/SSR/AD