Bhattacharjee wants Bengal as major export centre for China

By Staff
|
Google Oneindia News

Kolkata, Jun 20 (UNI) Union Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh today pledged the Centre's support to West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee to make the state a major partner in the border trade with China through Nathula in Sikkim.

During a one-hour meeting at the Writers' Building, Mr Bhattacharjee urged Mr Ramesh to initiate measures so that Siliguri in North Bengal could be a major centre of export to China through the Nathula route scheduled to open on July six.

'' The Chief Minister has requested that West Bengal be involved in the border trade talks between India and China and that Siliguri be developed as a major centre for export. I have promised him the Centre's support in this regard, '' Mr Ramesh told reporters.

The Union Minister also assured the UPA Government's assistance in the development of the state's leather footwear industry, setting up of an export centre of processed marine products, a testing centre for Hilsa fish, imported from Bangladesh through the Petrapole border and setting up of a fishing harbour in the state.

Following a request by the Chief Minister, Mr Ramesh said the Centre would review the present system of importing duty-free Vanaspati from Nepal which was posing a threat to the domestic manufacturers.

Mr Ramesh, who visited the India-Bangladesh border point at Petrapole yesterday, stressed the need for improving the road connectivity from Petrapole to Kolkata and said the Centre would construct a bypass as well as participate in a joint venture with the state government for setting up of a truck terminal at Bongaon, bordering Bangladesh.

The Centre would also develop land ports at Petrapole, Hili, Changrabanda and Fulbari at an estimated cost of Rs 150 crore to facilitate border trade with Bangladesh, he said.

UNI KDG SJC AK KP1942

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