The Ministry of Commerce has been suggested to review their activities on border haats along the Indian border since the operation and administrative cost are higher than the volume of trade in the border haats. The suggestion came from the Sub-Regional Cooperation (Joint communique and framework agreement) meeting held at the Prime Minister’s Office last month with PM’s Economic Affairs Adviser Dr Mashiur Rahman in the chair. According to the minutes of the meeting, the meeting chair also observed that the Ministry of Commerce can review how the border haats can be more efficient. Meanwhile, the Cabinet has recently approved a draft for renewing and re-signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Mode of Operation (MoU) for establishing and operating border haats along Bangladesh-India border. Under the fresh proposal, new border haats would be established in six new locations while the tenure of the border haats would be for five years from the existing three years. The maximum number of sellers in each border haat has been raised to 50 from the existing 25 while the ceiling for purchase of products and commodities has been raised to $200 from the existing $100. Approval has already been given to set up two more border haats at Botuli under Juri upazila in Moulvibazar while another at Kumraghat in Komolganj upazila in Moulvibazar.
Besides, four more border haats would be set up along the Tripura and Meghalaya border. Regarding construction of inland river port and container depot at Ashuganj, the Sub Regional Cooperation meeting decided that the Ministry of Shipping would pursue the matter so that the construction of inland river port and container depot at Ashuganj is not delayed too long. The Ministry of Shipping informed that after getting the revised report of the feasibility study, from the consulting farm, WAPCOS Ltd of India, land acquisition and physical implementation of the project will start. However, transshipment has already started as an interim arrangement though the cargo is still limited. About the motor vehicle agreement, the Road Transport and Highways Division informed that trial runs of passenger and cargo vehicles have been completed.
Replying to a query from the chair, the representative from the Division informed that goods movement may start within six months subject to the ratification of the agreement by all. Representative from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the meeting that Bhutan’s upper house (National Council) rejected the protocol (ratification) and sent it back to the lower house. Except Bhutan, Bangladesh, India and Nepal ratified the protocol. The protocol will become effective after ratification of all the signatory parties. About establishment of infrastructure for the rail and road connection, the Ministry of Railways informed that the committee comprising 11 members with PM’s Economic Affairs Adviser Dr Mashiur Rahman as it’s convenor, visited the site on October 29. After the visit, the committee decided that the alignment for Khulna-Mongla Railway Link Project (KMRLP) will remain unchanged. The committee also proposed for acquisition of 20 acres of land on the north-west side of the proposed KMRLP railway alignment for shifting of buffalo breeding center.
