India, Bangladesh urged to form B2B task force to boost trade

DHAKA, September 20: Indian Deputy High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pawan Kumar Tulshidas Badhe has stressed the need for a B2B task force to boost bilateral trade and investment, remove tariff and non-tariff barriers, and strengthen commercial ties between the two countries.

He made the remarks during a courtesy meeting with FBCCI Administrator Md Fazlul Hoque at the federation's Gulshan office in Dhaka yesterday.

Badhe said a B2B task force could play an important role in expanding investment and trade between Bangladesh and India.

His office has been maintaining regular communication and discussions with the governments of both countries to expedite the process of forming the task force, he said.

The deputy high commissioner also sought cooperation from Bangladesh's private sector, led by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), in the initiative.

Speaking about travel between the two countries, Badhe said visa procedures for Bangladeshi nationals had been eased for different categories of travel.

The Indian High Commission is currently issuing around 5,000 visas a day, he said.

FBCCI Administrator Md Fazlul Hoque said a joint task force could contribute to increasing bilateral trade and strengthening cooperation between Bangladesh and India.

He called on businesses and entrepreneurs from both countries to work together to expand investment and trade in emerging and promising sectors.