Union Commerce and Industry Minister, Anand Sharma, is in Dhaka on a two-day visit to Bangladesh for delegation level talks with Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) Faruk Khan.

Sharma informed that both the countries had decided to inaugurate the Border Haat trade by June. India has also agreed to increase the quota for readymade garments from Bangladesh from eight million pieces to ten million pieces for this financial year.

Sharma is leading a 12 member official delegation. Another team of 20 business delegates is also accompanying him. Sharma will be calling on the Bangladesh Prime Minister on Sunday after the official inauguration on Saturday at Kalaichar, West Garo Hill district in Meghalaya.

The Border Haat aims at promoting the well being of the people living in remote areas across the borders of India and Bangladesh.

Other places that will soon see the “Border Haats” are Baliamari (Kurigram District, Bangladesh ), Lauwaghar (Dalora) (Sunamganj District,Bangladesh) and Balat (East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, India).

In addition to the Border Haats, both sides are working on several projects to improve trade infrastructure and connectivity. Border Management Department of Ministry of Home Affairs in India is developing 7 Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) on India – Bangladesh border at Petrapole, Agartala, Dawki, Hili, Chandrabangha, Sutarkhandi and Kawarpuchiah.