Mizoram for resumption of trade ties with Bangladesh

Aizawl, Feb 26 (UNI) Mizoram government today urged the Centre to expedite the process of restoring all possible trade ties with neighbouring Bangladesh.

During discussions with Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Veena Sikri, state Chief Secretary Haukhum Hauzel and other top officials of industries and horticulture departments and Mizoram Chamber of Trade and Commerce submitted a blue-print to take initiatives for resuming various trade routes with Bangladesh.

Officials also favoured restoration of Karnaphlui river trade route, used prior to Independence, which had been recognised as an important step for export development in the region.

While pointing out to the non-activation of Land Custom Station (LCS) at Tlabung, they said even though the Centre had sanctioned a multi-crore LCS to make trade operational, Bangladesh, on its part, was yet to activate the LCS at Thengmukh, though notified in 1994.

The officials also pointed out that trading community from both Bangladesh and Mizoram had exchanged study tours expressing keen interest for establlishment of trade relations and subsequently signed an MoU for undertaking mutually beneficial import and export businesses.

The bureaucrats also informed that bamboo chips, ginger, orange, chillies, passion fruit, cucumber, banana, papaya, seasmum and citrus fruits could be exported from Mizoram.

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