Bangladesh to export bricks to northeast India
By IANSThursday, August 13, 2009
AGARTALA - Bangladesh will export 400 million bricks to Tripura, with the first consignment reaching the bordering state Aug 20, officials said here Thursday.
“To boost the brick trade, the Indian government has removed the 2.5 percent central custom duty from this month while the Tripura government reduced the value-added tax (VAT) to 4 percent from 12.5 percent,” said Tripura Commerce and Industry Minister Jitendra Chowdhury.
To commence brick exports to northeast India, a formal function will be held Aug 20 at the Akhaurah check post, where Chowdhury will be present along with Bangladesh commerce minister Faruk Khan.
The India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IBCCI) expects Bangladesh’s exports to the northeastern Indian states to increase to $1 billion by 2011.
“We are ready to supply 40 crore pieces of bricks worth Bangladeshi Taka 2 billion (Rs.140 crore) to Tripura and a deal has been signed with the Tripura government last month,” said IBCCI president Abdul Matlub Ahmad, who led a team here.
Explained Chowdhury: “Since Tripura’s existing brick fields are not able to cater to the demand, the state government has decided to import bricks from Bangladesh.”
Tripura also imports large quantities of stone chips and cement from Bangladesh.
According to Ahmad, Bangladesh’s export basket will now include bricks, plastic goods, readymade garments, agro-products and frozen foods, apart from stone chips and cement.
“We targeting exports worth $1 billion mark to northeast India by 2011 to close the trade gap,” he added.
A “Bangladesh Market” will also in Tripura with the state government agreeing to hand over either land or a building. Products from both Bangladesh and the northeastern region would be available at the market.
Meanwhile, the Indian government has identified seven check posts along the border in West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura for setting up Integrated Check Posts (ICPs).
“Under the ICP scheme, infrastructure and communication facilities will be developed at these check posts to boost trade between the two countries,” a central government official said.
