Staff Reporter :
After a lull of two years, Bangladesh and India reopened the Lauwaghar-Belat Haat on the border of Sunamganj and Meghalaya territories on Tuesday to restart the local trade and people to people connectivity of the two friendly countries.
The Joint Border Haat Management Committee in a joint meeting on 19 April decided to re-open this Border Haat at Dalora of Sunamganj and East Khasi Hills District of Meghalaya.
Indian High Commission sources said, at present India and Bangladesh have seven established Border Haats and nine more new Border Haats are in the pipeline for increased connectivity of trade and commerce and exchange of cultures. The Joint Border Haat Management Committee has also decided to re-open two more border haats on the following dates on 12 May and 16 May. On 12 May, Bagan Bari – Ryngku border haat at Duara Bazar of Sunamganj and East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya borders will be opened.
On the other hand, the Saydabad-Nalikata border haat at Tahirpur of Sunamganj and South West Khasi Hills of Meghalaya borders will be opened on 16 May.
Border Haats between the two countries are ready markets that have been established to enable local residents on both sides of the border to market and consume their ‘local produce’.
Sources said the Haats are adding new dimensions in cross border trade and people to people connectivity between the two nations.
According to studies and on-ground reviews, Border Haats have created employment opportunities for the local community, especially for women and youths, who have emerged as providers of various services like transporters, vendors, workers and food stall owners.
It has also provided additional source of disposable income for the border community and enhanced people to people connectivity.
Border Haats are vibrant centers promoting people to people connectivity, where local community from Bangladesh and India gets an opportunity to sell locally produced agricultural and horticultural products, small agriculture and household goods, minor forest products, fresh and dry fish, cottage industry items, wooden furniture, handloom and handicraft items, etc.
The first border Haat was inaugurated in 2011 on the border stretched from Kalaichar in West Garo Hills district of northeastern Indian state of Meghalaya to Baliamari of Kurigram district in Bangladesh.
