India, Bangladesh To Soon Finalise Joint Study On Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement

India and Bangladesh on Friday (4 March) held a commerce secretary level meeting to discuss several issues including the finalisation of joint study on Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

The Indian delegation was led by Union Commerce Secretary B V R Subrahmanyam and the Bangladesh delegation was led by Tapan Kanti Ghosh, Senior Secretary in Bangladesh's Commerce Ministry.

"Both sides held extensive discussions on a variety of issues of mutual interest, including development of railway infrastructure, port infrastructure, Joint Study on Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), Border Haats, Regional connectivity through Multi-Modal Transportation, Harmonization of Standards and Mutual Recognition Agreement," the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in a release on Saturday (5 March).

The two sides appreciated the significant growth in the bilateral trade between the two countries in recent years.

They also discussed facilitation of trade between the two countries through railways. A Detailed Project Proposal (DPP) has been approved for developing container handling facility at Sirajganj Bazar in Bangladesh.

The two sides also discussed and reached a consesus over the use of returning empty railway wagons/containers by Bangladesh - this would reduce overall logistics cost of India's exports to Bangladesh.

Further, it was decided that the border haats that were closed due to the Covid restrictions would be opened soon. Besides, it was decided that the 24x7 operationalisation of Petrapole-Benapole Integrated Check Post (ICP) will be implemented soon.

The two sides also discussed strengthening of regional connectivity between the two countries through multi-modal transport.

Besides, it was decided that the joint study on CEPA will be finalised at the earliest.