Bangladesh Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi has said that Bangladesh and North East India could benefit from improved physical connectivity and people-to-people contact. Participating in the India-Bangladesh stakeholders’ meeting in Guwahati, Mr Munshi said better connectivity would enhance consumers’ welfare through access to goods at competitive prices and enhance opportunities for exporters.

The Minister requested India to withdraw the ban on the export of onions. He said India is the second-largest trading partner of Bangladesh and both the countries registered impressive growth in recent years.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbanand Sonowal said India and Bangladesh are blessed to have the political leaders who are very keen to forge a more meaningful and mutually beneficial relationship. He said the Centre’s Act East Policy gives a paradigm shift to the development narrative of North East region.