Bengal plans new trade route to Bangladesh

West Bengal urban development and municipal affairs minister Ashok Bhattacharya said the state government was considering opening up of new trade route between Phulbari in North Bengal and Bangladesh.

Chandrabandha at present was the only link in this region with Bangladesh. The proposed Phulbari route would "further improve trade relations with Bangladesh," he said.

The entire North Bengal region, especially Siliguri, would benefit from the route initiative, Bhattacharya told members of Bengal Chamber of Commerce & Industry here today.

The agreement between India and China to open Nathu-la pass had opened up new opportunities for Siliguri. "I have been informed that some protocols have been signed between the two countries and the trade between them using the route would begin shortly," he said.

Siliguri would be a main trans-shipment hub for the Nathu-la route. Further, there was "good scope" to develop Siliguri as the base for a Buddhist tourism circuit, he said.

The state government had taken initiative to urge the Centre to upgrade Bagdogra Airport to international standards.

Navin Suchanti, chairman of the chamber's committee on development of North Bengal, said a training center for IT services could be developed in the region.

R Pandya, chief executive of Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority, spoke on investment opportunities in the region.