Border market places of bangladesh to be opened this month

The planned border ‘haats’, common market places for both Bangladeshis and Indians to boost local business and trade between the two neighbours, are likely to be opened formally this month.

The border market places plan remained unimplemented though over 18 months have passed since the two countries agreed on their introduction. Several deadlines mentioned by the government for opening border market places have already expired, with the last such deadline being March this year. Bureaucratic tangles in both the countries have been blamed for the long delay in opening the border market places.

‘Things have now been finalised. Border haats will be formally opened within this month,’ commerce minister Faruk Khan told the news agency over phone on Friday. He said he would formally open the border market places along with Indian commerce and industries minister Anand Sharma. He, however, did not specify the date.

Both countries have plan to open up at least ten more such haats in the future to revive the historic trade ties between Bangladesh and India, according to commerce ministry sources. The two countries agreed to set up the border haats along their international boundary in the northeast when prime minister Sheikh Hasina visited India in January last year.

Border haat was first scheduled to be launched on April 14 last year, coinciding with Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bangla New Year. The items produced within 10 kilometres of an area bordering the two countries will be traded in such marketplace.

The commodities to be traded in the border market places would include locally produced agriculture and horticulture products, spices, minor forest products excluding timber, fresh and dry fish, dairy and poultry products, wooden furniture and cane products, handloom and handicraft items apart from materials useful for farmers.

Till 1971, border residents from then East Pakistan used to cross over to the Indian side for exchange of goods. But after the creation of Bangladesh, the border market places were closed.

‘It was agreed that border market places will be established on a pilot basis in selected areas, including one on the Meghalaya border, to allow trade in specified produces and products, and in accordance with the regulations agreed and notified by both governments,’ the communiqué had said. The Border Guards Bangladesh and the Border Security Force of India will ensure security in the border market places.
News Source:
The New Age