The recent Chittagong Seminar on “Promotion of Trade and Investment between Bangladesh and North Eastern States of India” jointly organized by High Commission of India, Dhaka and Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industries held on 17^th & 18^th October, 2002 was a booster for furtherance of the efforts being made for expansion of trade ties between Bangladesh and North Eastern States of India particularly Tripura. The Chittagong Seminar was significant in many ways.

                      First of all this seminar was a follow-up of Mumbai North East Business Summit and Agartala Trade and investment seminar. Mumbai to Chittagong via Agartala a triangular distance though covered within a very short period of six months, this actually led to the decision for formation of joint study group which is definitely a step forward to formulate a concrete action plan in the direction of increasing economic co-operation between  Tripura and Bangladesh as envisaged in the final wrap-up session at Agartala. The joint Study Group has been formed taking 3(three) representatives from Chittagong Chamber of Commerce & Industries & Tripura Chamber of Commerce & Industries each which will study the important issues of trade and investment between the two countries and submit a report within 3(three) months. That way it may be said that in Mumbai Summit we met together, at Agartala we set together and Chittagong we stepped together. Mumbai is the business capital of India and Chittagong is the business capital of Bangladesh significantly Mumbai Chittagong Agartala triangular indicates that Agartala is the – would be business capital of North East.  

                    Secondly, Chittagong, the place of the seminar, itself was a very meaningful and important aspect  of the seminar. It is an important port and business center since time immemorial having close business relation with Eastern Indian States, China, Bali, Arabian Countries, Java, Portugal etc. The Portuguese in ancient time called Chittagong ‘ a port grandola’ – which means a grand port. In present time also Chittagong plays a vital role in foreign trade of Bangladesh. 80% of the total imports into Bangladesh and 75% of the total exports out of Bangladesh took place through Chittagong port. It is the chief port of the country and the main site for the establishment of heavy, medium and light industries. The biggest EPZ of Bangladesh is in Chittagong. It is not far away from Agartala via Sabroom. Chittagong may be the gate way to many enterprising countries to North Eastern Indian States via  Sabroom. Tripura in that case is likely to derive maximum  benefits from accelerated trade operation in the region through Chitagang Port.

                    Thirdly, though the seminar was for promotion of trade and investment between  Bangladesh and North Eastern States of India, only a big contingent of business delegates and government officials from Tripura took part in the seminar. Other north Eastern states had gone un-represented. This shows the initiative and interest taken by the Govt. of Tripura and business captain of Tripura for promotion of trade in the Sub-Region. This, on the one hand, is the result of gradual growth of economy in the state and on the other hand, geographical, Cultural and linguistic proximity of the two people of Tripura and Bangladesh. This sincere initiative and earnest active role of Tripura Govt. and Tripura business community paved the way for Tripura to steer the leadership of the North Eastern states in cementing business tie with Bangladesh and neighbouring countries.

                    Fourthly, frank and precise deliberation  marked the important feature of the seminar. Both sides India(Tripura) & Bangladesh made their respective position clear without any hidings. Because no sustainable and strong relationship can be built up on any half-hearted and concealed facts &  foundations. Mr. V. Tulashidas, Chief Secretary, Tripura, the leader of the Tripura team categorically made it a point that North East India and Bangladesh are natural business allies having vast and important trade potentials. We shall have to work together for economic growth of both the countries. In Mumbai and Agartala we tried to identify broad areas of our complementarities. Now here we are to give final touch to the things we want to give a shape. We are to expedite development of essential infrastructure like transport, telecommunication, rail link, LC station, Banking facilities, ware housing  and all kinds of supporting infrastructure. In that  direction a joint study group has to be formed immediately to work out prospective, concrete issues for promotion of trade link between two countries.  

                    Bangladesh Commerce Minister, Amir Khashru Mahmud Choudhury and the President, Chittagang Chamber of Commerce and Industries also urged almost in the same line. Mr. Choudhury said that India being the bigger economy in the region  should take leadership in trade promotion  efforts in the region. Bigger economy automatically and definitely will derive the maximum benefits out of any bi-lateral arrangement.

                    He also said that illegal trades should have to be brought under legalized trade operation to prevent loss of revenue by both the countries.

                    The Commerce Minister also reiterated that India should offer duty free excise to their goods in Indian markets for strengthening  bi-lateral business relation between two countries. He emphasized   that interaction between business people of both the countries particularly Tripura and Bangladesh should continue to grow. They can resolve many issues themselves which may be translated into policy in course of the time by policy makers.

                    Fifthly, the arrangement made for one-to-one meet in the seminar offered close opportunity to the business people to interact face to face and to explore possibility of building direct business ties with respective counter part. Such one-to-one inter action was followed by visit to factories and units in some cases. The Managing Director, TIDC and General Manager, NERAMAC  thus visited the multi Food  Processing Unit at Kalurghat Industiral area, Chittagang. The Factory has a capacity of consuming 18,000 MT pineapple per annum. The factory is closed since long. Now the SEDP has taken  the initiative to revive the unit for production purpose. In that case procurement of pineapple from Tripura for the production purpose of the factory will be very prospective and feasible. The matter is under examination of the SEDP and in this regard further discussion and inter action is to be held in Dhaka meet in the first part of November, 2002

                    Sixthly, involvement and participation of SEDP, a World Bank affiliated Organisation, is also significant and important which is working for promotion of regional economic co-operation. The SEDP Programme Officer, Dr. Anton De wieldy & his 4(four)  other team members visited Tripura just before Chittagong Seminar.

                    Seventhly, the participation of Commerce Minister of Bangladesh Mr. Amir Khushru Mahmud. Choudhury who is an M.P. from Chittagong itself had thrown added light on the face of the seminar. The Chittagong business communities want to bring back the central role of Chittagong in the National Economic Scenario, the importance of which was relatively declining . Such business interactions and expansion of trade activities through Chittagong will definitely increase the importance of Chittagong.

                    Delegates from both the countries have decided to move forward together for promotion of trade and investment in the Sub-Region. Lastly I would like to echo with Yussuf A. Harun, President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industry who in his article “H

ow India’s Northeast could benefit from freer trade with Bangladesh” published in the Financial Express, Dhaka that “we believe there is no reason we can not unite  because we are not adversaries. On the contrary, we must work together to defeat our common adversary – poverty.”