 "India, Bangladesh sign draft MoU on passenger & cruise vessel movement")
"A draft MoU on passenger and cruise services on coastal and protocol route was initialed by the respective secretaries of the two countries as a token of agreement which will be formalized after approval of the respective Governments," says a government release. The Indian delegation was led by Rajive Kumar, secretary, ministry of shipping, and Bangladesh delegation was led by Shafique Alam Mehdi, secretary, ministry of shipping.
During the meeting the Bangladesh side informed that a highly competitive charge of 192.22 Taka (Bangladesh's currency) per metric tonne for the trans-shipment operations at Ashuganj for movement of goods to and from north-eastern part of India has been approved by the Bangladesh. The Indian side agreed for the implementation of the same with an option for a review of these rates if considered necessary in future.
On issue of payment of bank guarantee, Bangladesh has decided to do away with the practice of insistence upon bank guarantee on each consignment of transit cargo. The move would reduce the transportation cost and encourage cargo movement in this route.
Also, it was decided to ensure adequate draft in upper reaches of Indo-Bangladesh Protocol route in Bangladesh, it was agreed that Bangladesh will submit a proposal for dredging of rivers in Bangladesh, including the ones under Protocol route, to World Bank for Regional IDA under intimation to the Indian side to enable the Indian side to examine and support the proposal taking a long term perspective.
It was also suggested by Indian side that as the submission of proposal to World Bank under IDA and its eventual execution may take some time, the existing Joint Technical Committee (JTC), as an interim measure, may identify and prioritize the route requiring dredging to achieve 2.5 meter draft throughout the year and propose a suitable funding option within 3 (three) month time. It was agreed that on receipt of this proposal, the funding, sharing and implementing mechanism can be discussed and decided.