Wednesday October 19, 2005

Need for Fta Between India, Bangladesh: High Commissioner

DHAKA, Oct 19 Asia Pulse - Underscoring the need for a Free Trade Agreement between India and Bangladesh, Indian High Commissioner to Dhaka Veena Sikri today said it was important to overcome a "negative" mindset to help boost trade between the two countries.

"It is important to overcome a negative mindset that often colours every discussion, (which) sometimes makes the mindset more important than the reality in any situation," Sikri said in an address to the Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI) here.

The media, businessmen, chambers of commerce and industries, all sections of society, who attach importance to positive progress in the relationship between Bangladesh and India must attach equal importance in preventing any unfortunate mindset from obstructing a mutually beneficial search for solutions, she was quoted as saying by the media.

The Indian diplomat underscored the need for signing Free Trade Agreement (FTA), developing physical infrastructure, relaxing visa procedure and proper implementation of trade agreements.

Proposing the formation of a forum where interested entrepreneurs from both sides could discuss common issues of concern and recommend mutually agreed solutions, she said "perhaps, we need to set up a Bangladesh-India Business Forum dedicated to our bilateral trade, economic and investment issues." (PTI)