Indo-Bangla border haat inaugurated in Sylhet

A border haat was inaugurated in Bholaganj frontier under Companiganj upazila of the district on Saturday.

Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Imran Ahmed and Assistant High Commissioner of India Shri Niraj Kumar Jaiswal jointly inaugurated the border haat this morning [Saturday].

"The haat was opened to enhance commercial and social relations with India which is a good ally with Bangladesh since 1971 as the country shares a border of 4096 km with its large neighbour (India)," the minister said while inaugurating the haat.

The haat, established between East Khasi Hills in Meghalaya and Bholaganj under Companiganj upazila of Sylhet district, will be operating from 10am to 4pm on Saturdays and Wednesdays in a week.

A total of 26 Indian and 24 Bangladeshi stalls are allowed to sell locally produced commodities in the marketplace (border haat). People who are living within 5 kilometres of the haat could buy commodities from the haat.

Each customer has to pay Taka 30 and seller Taka 70 per day as an entry fee, which will be spent on the renovation and development of the haat.

The haat covers one acre of land in Bholaganj area of Companiganj and East Khasi Hills of Indian Meghalaya State.

High officials of both countries were present, among others.