Agartala, April 28: A ten-member business delegation comprising of members of India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IBCCI) recently met here to discuss the possibilities to explore bilateral trade potential and industrial investment opportunities in the state.

The delegation led by India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IBCCI) President Abdul Matlub Ahmad met with business community of Tripura Industrial Development Corporation (TIDC), senior most officials and businessmen.

The meet highlighted bilateral trade issues with a special focus on northeast tourism, as it holds great potential.

“The nearest foreign destination is Agartala. This is the only foreign destination where we need a passport without any flight fare. This place is very beautiful and has all the facilities required for tourists. The whole of northeast India is a big market than Bangladesh. A tourist who comes here gets access of this area and thus business tourism has great potential,” said Abdul Matlub Ahmad, a member of the India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IBCCI).

" Earlier the system was this, no Bangladeshis or Pakistani could invest in India. Now the good thing is that the Government of India has withdrawn that. Now anyone from Bangladesh and Pakistan can invest in India. So this is a good scope for all of us. Because of this new policy, we found that large numbers of Bangladeshi industries are showing interest to invest here, particularly in northeastern region of Tripura," said M. L. Debnath, the President of Tripura Chamber of Commerce.

According to the IBCCI reports, total bilateral trade between India and Bangladesh grew from 2.56 billion dollars in 2006-07 to 3.616 billion dollars in 2007-08.

Bangladesh is keen to boost trade and commerce with northeast region to narrow down its trade deficit with India. (ANI)