Abu Sazzad :Indian assistance of $2 billion for Bangladesh’s various projects is completely a business where India is standing on a winning position, said some leading economists of the country.Visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced a fresh line of credit of $2 billion for quick implementation of the projects. However, all the accessories related to projects will be imported from India. “India will be doubly benefited by importing all raw materials of the projects. Modi’s visit to Bangladesh is just a break up of a sweet dream,” economist and a former adviser to the caretaker government Mirza Azizul Islam told The New Nation on Sunday.The two countries also signed an agreement to set up two ‘Special Economic Zones’ in Bangladesh with a view to bridging the growing trade imbalance. And the Indian companies will be allowed to set up industries in these economic zones.Mirza Azizul Islam however, said this deal would open new doors in the areas of trade and investment.The annual trade between Bangladesh and India is around $6.5 billion. Of this, India’s export is around $6 billion while Bangladesh export is around $0.5 billion, according to Export Promotion Bureau sources.India definitely would be much more benefited for this agreement because of their diversified export products, observed Azizul Islam.Talking about coastal shipping agreement, which will provide for movement of Indian ships to various ports in Bangladesh, former Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Salehuddin Ahmed said that India would be more benefited by this agreement.According to the deal, large consignments of India easily reached their destinations by using Bangladeshi ports, said Salehuddin.A MoU on Prevention of Smuggling and Circulation Fake Currency Notes has been signed between Coast Guards of the two countries , he said.In fact, the Indian government has to take initiatives first to make the deal effective as most of the illegal drugs enter the country from the Indian side. He said now it is the moral duty of the Indian government to implement the agreement by which young generation of the country can lead a secured life.Considering the world economy, India should definitely help Bangladesh to make it a middle-income country by 2021, said the former BB governor.Former Vice-President of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Helal Uddin yesterday said that Modi’s visit to Bangladesh is a blessing to the business community. From now on, the exporters could easily deliver their products through the maritime agreement.Bangladesh is mainly dependent on India for the import of industrial raw materials, said Helal Uddin.The business leader hopes that production as well as shipment cost would be reduced following this agreement. So, the business community will be benefited both way by exporting to and importing from India, observed the business leader.Easy connectivity is essential for smooth functioning of business and the maritime deal would help the country’s business community to facilitate their trade and investment, he said.
