Historic border haats to be opened in March

Two of the traditional border haats (markets) are expected to be opened in March, as part of pilot projects to revive the historic trade ties between Meghalaya and Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh Commerce Minister, Mr Muhammad Faruk Khan, said here last night that both countries hoped to open up at least ten more such haats in the next six-eight months.

These haats would benefit both countries, especially the people living along border areas, Mr Khan, leading a high-powered delegation from Bangladesh, said, after meeting the Meghalaya Chief Minister, Mr Mukul Sangma, and other State officials.

“So far, three locations have been identified for establishing border haats in Sonarhat-Lyngkhat (Sylhet-East Khasi Hills border), Baliamari-Kalaichar (Kurigram-West Garo Hills border) and Narayantala-Balat (Sunamganj-East Khasi Hills border),” Bangladesh High Commissioner, Mr Tariq A. Karim, said.

He said the haats would permit people to sell locally-produced vegetables, fruits, spices, fish, poultry, minor forest produce, produce of local cottage industry, small agricultural household implements, second-hand garments, melamine products and processed food items.

Meanwhile, the Meghalaya Governor, Mr R. S. Mooshahary, has approved the setting up of a Haat Management Committee (HMC), which has been prepared by the Department of Commerce and Industries, to look into the nitty- gritty of opening up the first Indo-Bangla border haat at Balat.

People living within 10 km of the border would be allowed to sell their products in the haats and the number of sellers will initially be limited to 25 .

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