Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi on Monday said that a border hut would be set up along Mizoram frontier in a bid to expand communication and trade relations between the people of Bangladesh and Mizoram.
The visiting Commerce Minister informed this in a joint press briefing after signing a joint statement with Mizoram Minister for Commerce and Industry Dr R Lalthangliana in Mizoram.
Tipu said Bangladesh has given consent to a proposal from Mizoram to set up a border hut at bordering Silsuri in Mizoram and Sajek in Bangladesh.
He said that both the countries are of the same opinion that there is a huge trade potential between Bangladesh and Mizoram as the Bangladeshi RMG, construction materials, plastics and food products can be exported there. Besides, Bangladesh can also import stone, turmeric, ginger, spices and bamboos from Mizoram.
The commerce minister said once the border hut is set up along Mizoram border, then the bilateral relations and trade would be further boosted between Bangladesh and the Indian state of Mizoram.
He said that the Karnaphuli River derived from Lusai Mountain of Mizoram has flown through Chattogram and thus merged into the Bay of Bengal. In this connection, he assured the Mizoram Minister of assessing the feasibility of goods transportation and boosting trade between Bangladesh and Mizoram through the waterways.
While responding to queries of reporters, Tipu said Bangladesh is now a 'role model of development' while Bangladesh has been progressing fast under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to materialize the dream of building 'Sonar Bangla' as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Tipu said like other countries of the world, Bangladesh wants to boost trade with its neighboring countries while the government of Bangladesh has been working relentlessly to create such environment and also to enhance the necessary facilities.
Mizoram Minister for Commerce and Industry Dr R Lalthangliana said that there is a huge scope for enhancing trade and commerce between Mizoram and Bangladesh through using the Chattogram Port and river ways.
"We've taken initiative in this regard. People of both the countries are very interested about border hut. If border hut is set up here, then mutual communication will be established side by side trade potentials will be increased. As a result, both the countries will be benefitted." he added.
The Commerce Minister during his tour to Mizoram visited the probable site for border hut along Silsuri-Sajek border. Bangladesh shares around 318 kilometers of its border with Mizoram.
The commerce minister also met Mizoram Chief Minister Pu Zoramthanga and Mizoram Legislative Assembly Speaker Lalrinliana Sailo and discussed issues related to mutual interests.
