Bangladesh wants to be India's partner in tech-based industries: Minister

A sum of Rs 3,084.43 crore has been invested by Indian businessmen in our country, said Bangladesh's industry minister

Bangladesh is looking forward to becoming India's associate in technology-based industries, its Industry Minister Alhaz Amir Hussain Amu said today.

"Bangladesh wants to be India's partner in the technology-based medium-scale and large-scale industrial quest to make the country economically vibrant," Amu said while addressing the 'Invest Tripura: A Business Meet' at Prajna Bhavan here.

"The imbalance in bilateral business will be reduced if businessmen from India go there for setting up industrial units," he said.

Amu said that Bangladesh had received 96 foreign direct investments (India) and 212 joint-investment projects till June, 2015.

"A sum of Rs 3,084.43 crore has been invested by Indian businessmen in Bangladesh, which has generated 63,277 jobs," he said.

Calling upon the Indian entrepreneurs to invest in Bangladesh taking advantage of the congenial industrial climate there, Amu said, "if SAFTA (South Asian Free Trade Area) comes into effect, then investors of Bangladesh will have a golden scope to harness the markets in India, European Union and Japan."

Amu also said that the Bangladesh government had been giving priority to improve connectivity with the North East and other parts of India.

"We have taken decision to strengthen road and rail connectivity with north eastern states. Works are in the pipeline to connect Agartala with Akhaura through rail link and Feni bridge that will ensure direct connectivity with Chittagong port in Bangladesh," he said.

Amu, however, strongly advocated simplicity in foreign trade rules to give a major push to Indo-Banlga trade.

"Bangladesh is importing around 3,000 items from India. Issues like customs surcharge, basic custom duty and addition duty must be addressed to create a win-win foreign trade," he said.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said that the days were not far when the state would become a gateway to the entire North East.

"Once Feni bridge is constructed, Tripura will be able to access Chittagong port in Bangladesh. This will obviously open up a new opportunity to explore markets of the South Asian countries," he said.

Lauding Assocham for holding such a meet here, the chief minister said Tripura might be a small state, but size was not always important.

Tripura Industry Minister Tapan Chakraborty, Chief Secretary Yaspal Singh and Assocham Chairman (eastern region) Sanjay Jhunjhunwala were present in the meet.