Mokokchung, 10 May (MTNews): Chairing the special seminar on ‘Investment opportunities between North East India and Bangladesh with special focus on Nagaland’, industrialist and president of the India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IBCCI) Abdul Matlub Ahmad said that 34 MoUs were signed between Bangladesh companies and the visiting Business Association of Nagas (BAN) delegation.
According to an update from BAN received here on Wednesday, Ahmad said that it will be a ‘historic start’ even if only 10% of the MoUs materialized.
The seminar at Dhaka was also attended by Industries Minister of Bangladesh, Nurul Majid Humayun as Chief Guest along with Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Pranay Verma as Guest of Honor. The seminar was held at the Pan Pacific Hotel, Dhaka on 8 May where the visiting BAN delegation also attended the program.
Expressing optimism, the industries minister Humayun said that Bangladesh has developed an industrial ecosystem where in a short time profit can be generated by companies. He said that the country has established 100 special economic zones which facilitate industrial growth. He noted that Nagaland is blessed with natural and organic produce which can easily be marketed.
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Pranay Verma urged the industrialists from Bangladesh to explore the potential of bilateral trade and investment in the Northeast region and invited them to take full advantage of the emerging opportunities in the fast-growing economy of the north-eastern Indian states.
Verma also stated that the Northeast region of India is a ‘natural hub’ for boosting trade and people-to-people ties between Bangladesh and India. He further highlighted the recent initiatives taken to develop greater cross-border connectivity, trade infrastructure, and economic linkages between the north-eastern states of India and Bangladesh.
BAN President L Mongkum Jamir speaking at the program said it was during the G20 summit held in Kohima where the visiting Bangladesh delegation invited BAN. Thanking the India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the invitation and warm hospitality, BAN president said that there was a need to explore business and trade on both sides of the border given their proximity.
Earlier, B2B meetings were held between Bangladesh companies and visiting BAN delegation at the Nitol-Niloy Group headquarters in Dhaka. The BAN delegation also had a meeting with the First Secretary of the Indian High Commission, Pratik Negi, IFS who is also in-charge of Economics and Commerce.
It may be mentioned that the Assistant High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Guwahati, Ruhul Amin was instrumental in assisting BAN delegation’s visit while Director of the IBCCI Guwahati Chapter, Shah Md. Farid was also part of the BAN delegation.
