Akhaura-Agartala trade potential underutilised: Atiur
03 September, 2018
Despite being one of the most important bilateral trade routes and a potential gateway to northeast India from Bangladesh's Chittagong port, the Akhaura-Agartala link remains underutilised, said Professor Atiur Rahman, former governor of Bangladesh Bank, yesterday.
India annually exports goods worth $1.4 billion to Bangladesh via the Petrapole-Benapole route while the amount via the Agartala-Akhaura route stands at just over $0.14 million, he said.
Moreover, recent World Bank estimates show that Bangladesh's exports to India can potentially rise by 300 percent, he said, adding that utilising the potential requires increasing exports via the Akhaura-Agartala route.
Rahman was addressing a discussion on “Strengthening Indo-Bangladesh Relationship” organised by Agartala Press Club at its auditorium in Tripura, says a press release.
He said both countries were enjoying an unprecedented level of political understanding and it was “now high time to capitalise on this political will and enhance trade”.
Biplab Kumar Deb, chief minister of Tripura, said he was taking steps against drug peddlers and supporting infrastructural developments like the Feni bridge and Agartala-Akhaura rail link as it would prove beneficial for both countries.
Subal Kumar Dey, editor of Syandan Patrika; Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, media advisor to the prime minister; Md Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and lawmaker RAM Obaidul Muktadir Chowdhury were present.