Agartala: The Tripura government on Wednesday sent a consignment of 600 premium-quality pineapples to Bangladesh, continuing the annual tradition of exchanging seasonal fruits between the two neighbouring regions.
The consignment, comprising 100 cartons with six pineapples in each, was flagged off through the Akhaura Integrated Check Post along the India-Bangladesh border. The initiative follows Bangladesh’s recent gift of mangoes to Tripura under the longstanding practice of exchanging seasonal produce.
Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department Secretary Apurba Roy said the exchange has become a symbol of goodwill and friendly relations between the two sides.
“We are sending 100 boxes of pineapple to Bangladesh as a goodwill gesture. This tradition has continued for several years. Recently, the Bangladesh government gifted us mangoes, and we are reciprocating with pineapples,” Roy told reporters.
He said the fruits selected for the consignment were of export quality and would also help introduce Tripura’s renowned pineapple to people in the neighbouring country.
“The pineapples being sent are of export quality. We want the government and people of Bangladesh to become familiar with this product. It is a gift from Tripura to Bangladesh,” he said.
Director of Horticulture Phanibhusan Jamatia said the shipment consisted of 600 fruits of the state’s popular Kew variety, which were transported through the Akhaura land route.
Officials said that after customs clearance and other border formalities were completed, the consignment was handed over at the zero point to representatives of the Assistant High Commission of India in Chattogram for onward delivery.
Senior officials from the Agriculture and Horticulture departments, the Land Ports Authority of India and the Assistant High Commission of India in Chattogram attended the handover ceremony.