Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal in a meeting with a Bangladeshi delegation led by commerce minister Tipu Munshi
Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal in a meeting with a Bangladeshi delegation led by commerce minister Tipu Munshi

Bangladesh and Assam hope to work together for strengthening economic ties.

Bangladesh commerce minister Tipu Munshi, now in Guwahati, met Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Wednesday and said relations between Assam and Bangladesh is “best in 30 years”.

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“The positive environment generated in trade and connectivity between Assam and Bangladesh is the best in 30 years,” Munshi said.

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The commerce minister, hailing the improved Indo-Bangla political ties, said, “Of late the political relations between the two nations have turned into a business association.”

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Since Assam and Bangladesh are close geographically, Munshi said, both the geographical entities should open up to feed the business needs of its people.

Sonowal said for facilitating the economic growth of the region, Bangladeshi ports need to be linked with Assam.

“Ports in Bangladesh need to be linked with Assam through Brahmaputra-Barak-Padma-Meghna riverine waterways for facilitating the economic growth of the region,” Sonowal said.

The CM also outlined the need for restoring rail connectivity between Northeast and Bangladesh.

Sonowal reiterated to decide the standard operating procedures (SOP) for ensuring speedy implementation of agreements.

“Deciding SOP would ensure access to Chattogram and Mongla Ports of Bangladesh for the northeast, and execution of the BBIN motor vehicle agreement,” Sonowal said.

The CM later met a 14-member delegation of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The delegation led by senior vice president Waqar Ahmed Choudhury informed Sonowal on the increasing demand for a robust business relation between Assam and Bangladesh.