Following the last Commerce Secretary level meeting on 15 and 16 January 2020, Commerce Secretaries of Bangladesh and India are, reportedly, meeting today to discuss on removing trade barriers and increasing bilateral trade between the two countries.
This was maintained in media reports.
Further, as per a statement issued by the Ministry of Commerce (MoC), Md. Jafar Uddin, the Commerce Secretary of Bangladesh and his Indian counterpart Anup Wadhawan will lead their respective sides at the meeting to discuss on host of issues including feasibility of signing a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the two countries, tariff and non-tariff barriers and anti-dumping duty on exports of Bangladesh’s jute products to India.
Addressing the media at his office yesterday, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, reportedly, expressed hope that some trade disputes could be resolved through the discussion even as the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, is scheduled to visit Bangladesh to attend the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s independence this month.
It may be mentioned here that even if India has emerged as a promising export destination for Bangladeshi products including the ‘Made in Bangladesh’ apparels, businesses in Bangladesh have been demanding India to cut non-tariff barriers to boost Bangladesh’s exports to the neighbouring country and reduce the trade gap.
