Trade bodies suspend export-import at Tripura border

Agartala, May 27 (UNI) With a view to demand renovation of the Agartala-Dhaka road, the Indo-Bangladesh Export Importer Association in Tripura has suspended trade between Tripura and Bangladesh, resulting in shortage of construction materials in the state, as well as perishable items, including fruits, in Bangladesh.

The association stated that despite repeated requests, Bangladesh authorities had been reluctant to improve the road condition across the border, due to which, the cross-border trade was suspended from yesterday.

The Tripura government had also taken up the matter with the Ministry of External Affairs and DoNER Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar.

Hundreds of loaded trucks with cement, fish, garments on the Bangladesh side and fruits and vegetables in Tripura were stranded at Akhaura Check Post.

Meanwhile, state Commerce Minister Jitendra Choudhury urged the trade bodies to go for amicable solution of the problem with its Bangladesh counterparts.

Mr Choudhury said over the last 20 years, the Tripura government had been pushing the Centre to open trade and rail lines with Bangladesh but the talks had not materialised so far.

UNI BB DPM HS DS1122