A special seminar on “Investment opportunities between North East India and Bangladesh with special focus on Nagaland” was held when the delegation of the Business Association of Nagas (BAN) visited the capital city Dhaka.
Chief guest at the programme was Industries minister of Bangladesh Nurul Majid Humayun along with Indian high commissioner Pranay Verma as guest of honour. Held at the Pan Pacific hotel Dhaka on 8th May the seminar was attended by industrialists and the visiting BAN delegation.
Expressing optimism, the industries minister Humayun said that Bangladesh has developed an industrial ecosystem where in a short time profit can be generated by companies. He said that the country has established 100 special economic zones which facilitate industrial growth. He noted that Nagaland is blessed with natural and organic produce which can easily be marketed.
Indian high commissioner to Bangladesh, Pranay Verma described the northeast region of India as a ‘natural hub’ for boosting trade and people-to-people ties between Bangladesh and India. He invited industrialists from Bangladesh to take full advantage of the emerging opportunities in the fast-growing economy of the north-eastern Indian states and further explore the potential of bilateral trade and investment.
High commissioner Verma highlighted the recent initiatives taken to develop greater cross-border connectivity, trade infrastructure, and economic linkages between the north-eastern states of India and Bangladesh.
BAN president L Mongkum Jamir speaking at the programme said it was during the G20 summit held at Kohima where the visiting Bangladesh delegation invited BAN. Thanking the India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the invitation and warm hospitality, BAN president said that there was a need to explore business and trading in both sides of the border given the proximity.
Chairing the programme, well known industrialist and president of the India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IBCCI) Abdul Matlub Ahmad said that 34 MoUs were signed between Bangladesh companies and the visiting BAN delegation and even if 10% of it materialises, it will be a historic start.
Earlier, B2B meetings were held between Bangladesh companies and visiting BAN delegation at the Nitol-Niloy group headquarters in Dhaka. BAN delegation also had a meeting with the First Secretary of the Indian high commission Pratik Negi, IFS who is also in-charge of Economics and Commerce.
It may be mentioned that the Assistant High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Guwahati Ruhul Amin was instrumental in assisting BAN delegation’s visit and Director of the IBCCI, Guwahati chapter Shah Md. Farid was also part of BAN’s delegation.
