Staff Reporter :India and Bangladesh have finalised a draft agreement on coastal shipping allowing cargo vessels sailing between the two countries.The government sources said that the agreement was finalised during a secretary-level talk held at New Delhi on Friday.As per agreement, River Sea Vessels (RSV) will carry cargo between the two neighbouring countries.In terms of berthing charges and lighterage dues, both the countries would extend ‘national treatment’ to one another. “The commencement of coastal shipping between the two countries would give a boost to export-import trade between India and Bangladesh,” a top Indian official said.Both the countries had also agreed on extending the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT) with the provision of automatic renewal.This is in line with the proposed amendment to the Bangladesh-India trade agreement. “PIWTT will be automatically renewed after every five years,” the official in India’s ministry of shipping said.It was also agreed between the two countries that a draft agreement for the regular movement of passengers and cruise vessels would be shared by India with Bangladesh through diplomatic channels.
