India seeks joint taskforce to expand trade, investment with Bangladesh

India has proposed forming a joint business-to-business (B2B) taskforce with Bangladesh to expand bilateral trade and investment and address tariff and non-tariff barriers,

Indian Deputy High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pawankumar Tulshidas Badhe made the proposal during a meeting with FBCCI Administrator Md Fazlul Hoque at the trade body’s Gulshan office in Dhaka today (20 September), reads a press release.

Badhe said the proposed taskforce could play an important role in expanding bilateral trade and investment by bringing businesses and relevant stakeholders from both countries into closer engagement.

“The Indian High Commission is maintaining regular communication and discussions with the governments of both countries to expedite the formation of the taskforce,” he added.

The deputy high commissioner also sought cooperation from Bangladesh’s private sector, particularly through the FBCCI, to move the initiative forward.

The meeting also discussed removing tariff and non-tariff barriers and strengthening commercial ties between the two countries.

Fazlul Hoque said a joint taskforce could play an effective role in increasing bilateral trade and strengthening mutual cooperation.

He urged businesses and entrepreneurs from both countries to work together to expand trade and investment in emerging and promising sectors.

Badhe also said visa processing for Bangladeshis travelling to India has been eased across categories. “The Indian High Commission is currently issuing around 5,000 visas a day.”