GDP growth in Bangladesh increasing steadily: Riva

794

RANGPUR, Nov 29, 2019 (BSS) – Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Mrs
Riva Ganguly Das has said Bangladesh is doing well in economic development
maintaining its steadily increasing gross domestic product (GDP) growth.

“Construction of 12 hi-tech parks in Bangladesh will be completed in
next four years, with the assistance of 193 million US dollars from the
Government of India, to provide training to youths to produce 30,000 skilled
IT workforces,” she said.

Riva disclosed the information at a business meeting organised by
Rangpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) with Members of its Board of
Directors and traders at RCCI Board Room on Thursday night as chief guest.

Presides over by RCCI President Mostofa Sohrab Chowdhury Titu, Assistant
High Commissioner of India stationed at Rajshahi Sanjeev Kumar Bhati attended
the event as special guest.

Senior Vice-president of RCCI Mostoba Hossain Ripon, former Vice-
president of FBCCI and Managing Director of Motahar Group of Industries
Mostafa Azad Chowdhury Babu, importers and exporters Moyen Uddin and Golam
Rabbani Zulfi, spoke.

The speakers stressed on eliminating prevailing barriers to reduce trade
deficit between the two countries and increase road, sky and railway
connectivity for boosting trade and commerce of Bangladesh with the seven
eastern states of India.

They opined for developing infrastructures, eliminating non-tariff
barriers, reducing delay in testing of food products and keeping Indian
customs offices open from 7 am to 7 pm to enhance bi-lateral trade and
commerce between the two countries.

They called upon the Indian envoy to take initiative for conversion of
Burimari and Banglabandha Land Ports into full-fledged ports for accelerating
import-export trade of Rangpur Division.

RCCI President Titu said the people of Bangladesh will always remember
contribution of India to the War of Liberation with gratefulness forever.

“India is a development partner of Bangladesh,” Tiu said seeking cooperation
of the Indian envoy in removing various barriers to increase exports of
Bangladeshi products to India for reducing the huge trade deficit against
imports from India.
He urged the Indian industrialists for joint or single investments in
setting up economic zones in the backward Rangpur division by availing
advantages and incentives, including tax concession, of the Government of
Bangladesh.

The Indian envoy assured of taking initiatives to gradually resolve
prevailing problems of traders in bilateral import-export trade and suggested
for frequent business-to-business meets and diversification of Bangladeshi
products to increase export to India.

Later, a colourful cultural function followed by dinner reception was
arranged in honour of the visiting Indian High Commissioner at RCCI
auditorium.