The Hindu Business Line : Assam's Sutharkandi gets trade centre

Assam's first International Trade Centre at Sutharkandi border point (with Bangladesh) was opened on Friday by the Union Minister of State for Commerce, Mr Jairam Ramesh.

The Assam Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation has set up the centre at a total cost of Rs 8 crore, of which the Union Commerce Ministry has provided Rs 6.5 crore.

The Minister also announced that the Union Government would be spending an additional Rs 16 crore to develop an integrated check post-cum-land customs station at Sutharkandi to further accelerate trade between the North-eastern region and Bangladesh. RITES will implement the project, which is expected to be completed within the next 18 months.

Other states

Rice, coal, ginger, turmeric, cotton, maize and citrus fruits are the main items of export to Bangladesh via Sutharkandi, while Hilsa fish is the main item of import. Mr Ramesh said the Sutharkandi LCS would benefit not just Assam, but also adjoining states like Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.

Sounding upbeat on the export of bamboo from the North-East, the Minister said a long-term contract was being signed for supply of 2 lakh tonnes of bamboo chips from Mizoram to Hindustan Paper Mills at Cachar. He said the Mizoram Government has also entered into an agreement for supply of bamboo chips for a pulp and paper factory in Bangladesh.

He expressed hope that after the installation of a new government in Dhaka, India and Bangladesh will resume their dialogue on expanding bilateral trade with special focus on the North Eastern States.

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