Guwahati, India (BBN) – A delegation from Industries and Trade Fair Association of Assam (ITFAA) recently visited Bangladesh to strengthen the socio-economic relationship between the two countries.

The delegation met Bangladeshi commerce minister Tofail Ahmed and submitted a memorandum requesting him to take measures to boost trade and commerce with the northeast, the Times of India reported.

They urged Ahmed to open a Bangladesh Trade Information Centre in Guwahati and expedite the proposed Dhaka-Guwahati air service by Biman Bangladesh.

In a bid to promote each other's culture and society and create a positive image about both the countries, the delegation, led by ITFAA vice-president Rajesh Das, requested the minister to take an initiative to convince production houses in Bangladesh to join hands with their counterparts from the region and co-produce bilingual films.

The delegation also met Bangladesh's music legend Maqsoodul Haque and discussed about cultural exchange between the two countries. Haque, who has his roots in Assam, played one of his yet-to-be released songs based on the tunes of Assamese traditional music.

Chairman of Bangladesh's parliamentary standing committee on ministry of civil aviation and tourism Faruk Khan assured the delegation that extensive preparation is on to connect Dhaka and Guwahati through air and road.

BBN/SSR/AD-12July14-3:10 pm (BST)