NEW DELHI, July 22 – Commerce Ministers of India and Bangladesh would jointly inaugurate Border Haat at Kalaichar, West Garo Hill District in Meghalaya on Saturday.
Union Commerce, Industry and Textile Minister, Anand Sharma and Commerce Minister of Bangladesh, Muhammad Faruk Khan would join Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr Mukul Sangma in the ceremony that is likely to be first in a series of joint projects between the two countries.
“The opening of Border Haats shall herald a new chapter of cooperation in India-Bangladesh trade. I am confident that the opening of Border Haats will make the border villages on both sides more prosperous through improved market accessibility for their locally-produced goods,” Sharma said today.
It is estimated that bilateral trade worth US$ 20 million would take place annually from the Border Haats once they are opened.
The event is being organised by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and the Shellac and Forest Product Promotion Council (Shefexil).
Official sources said that in addition to the Border Haats, both sides were working on several projects to improve trade infrastructure and connectivity. Initially, the Border Haats as pilot projects, are to be opened at Baliamari (Kurigram District, Bangladesh) – Kalaichar (West Garo Hills, Meghalaya, India and at Lauwaghar (Dalora) (Sunamganj District, Bangladesh) – Balat (East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, India).
The Border Management Department of Ministry of Home Affairs in India is developing seven Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) on India – Bangladesh Border at Petrapole, Agartala, Dawki, Hili, Chandrabangha, Sutarkhandi and Kawarpuchiah.
Further, India is also developing infrastructure at eight Land Custom Stations along the Indo – Bangladesh border at a cost of Rs 108.19 crore. The LCSs are Borosora, Dalu, Ghasupara, Mahadipur, Hilli, Phullbari, Srimantpur and Gojadanga. The total projected cost of all the ICPs and Land Custom Stations being developed is US$ 125 million.
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