by Bhupen Goswami

Guwahati :A special dialogue between industry associations and business leaders with Dr. AK Abdul Momen, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh in presence of Industries and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary was held at Brahmaputra Heritage Centre, Guwahati today.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Momen deliberated on the similarities on food, attire, language and socio-economic riverine cultural life between Assam, India and Bangladesh. He stated that the diplomatic relationship between Bangladesh and India is at the zenith point for which the prime ministers of each country – Sheikh Hasina and Narendra Modi – has termed it as the ‘golden chapter of bilateral ties’. Dr. Momen mentioned that Bangladesh has the highest number of people travelling to India as tourists and for medical treatment. He said that Cox Bazar is being developed as an industrial hub and that the international airport in Sylhet is being upgraded which will help in cross-border trade and business. The Foreign Minister added that the increasing trust between the two neighbours will help to work in tandem for mutual growth and called upon for G2B and B2B in both the countries. Dr. Momen assured that Bangladesh is focused on improving people-to-people contact and strengthening connectivity to improve trade and business through waterways, railways and airways.

He proposed Minister Patowary for an early warning system to mitigate flood and save lives. Industries and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said, ‘The expansion project of 500 TPD methanol and 200 TPD formaldehyde plant of Assam Petrochemicals Limited (APL) at a total cost of Rs. 1337 crore is almost complete and Assam can soon export these chemical products to Bangladesh.’ Minister Patowary called upon the Bangladesh Ministry officials to offer necessary support and cooperation for increase of volume of trade from Assam using river transportation to reduce costs and boost trade.

He also proposed the Foreign Minister to set up a unit of PRAN-RFL Group in Assam as the company has a large consumer base in the State. Industry associations like FICCI, ICC and business leaders highlighted some of the trade issues in terms of port and capital goods restrictions, land custom stations, collaborative research works etc. Dr. Shah Mohammad Tanvir Monsur, Assistant High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Guwahati and other senior officials were present in the meeting.