THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA)
(a) Yes, Madam. The requisite details are as below:-
(In US$ million)
Year Exports Imports Total
2008-09 2497.87 313.11 2810.98
2009-10 2433.77 254.66 2688.43
2010-11 3571.43 412.72 3984.15
Source: DGCI&S, Kolkata
(b) The projects on infrastructure development and upgradation of rail and roads capacity in Bangladesh are being funded under the Indian line of credit of US 1 million $. This includes supply of rail rolling stock, including locomotives and tank wagons, construction of rail lines, bridges, roads and development of port facilities. This will improve trade between the two countries.
(c) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on establishment of Border Haats at Baliamari (Bangladesh )-Kalaichar (Meghalaya,India) and at Lauwaghar (Bangladesh)-Balat (Meghalaya,India) was signed on 23.10.2010. The commodities allowed to be traded are locally produced vegetables, food items, fruits, spices; minor local forest produce. The commodities sold in the designated Border Haats are exempted from the payment of customs duties.
(d) The Border Haat at Kalachar has been inaugurated on 23.7.2011. Border Haats aim at promoting the well being of the people dwelling in remote areas across the borders of India and Bangladesh by encouraging local trade of local produce. It is estimated that annually 20 million US$ trade will take place from the Border Haats.
(e) By liberalising trade between the two countries, it is expected that the tendency for illegal trade on the border with Bangladesh shall diminish. The Border Security Forces are tasked to check illegal trade between the two countries.
