India is thinking about
bilateral trade with Bangladesh about the Fulbari land customs station (LCS). Because of the stations global position it has become important to both.Indian External
Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee is going to discuss about it in his two-day visit to Bangladesh.The Indian minister arrived in Dhaka today (1/12/2007) to convey the solidarity of the people of his country with the people of Bangladesh visiting the cyclone-affected areas. He also handed over the Indian consignment of relief materials for the cyclone-hit people to the Bangladesh authorities.Earlier, Mukherjee had urged his cabinet colleague in the Union
home ministry to expedite the infrastructure development process at the Fulbari LCS near Siliguri to facilitate bilateral trade with Bangladesh.The Indian external affairs minister considers that the Fulbari LCS has immense potential to accelerate bilateral trade in the north Bengal and Sikkim region.Mr Mukherjee''s initiative follows a communication sent to him by the state urban development minister, Mr Asok Bhattacharya in August urging for the external affairs minister''s intervention in the matter. Taking cue of the communication, the external affairs minister first took up the issue with the Union commerce and industry ministry and then to the Union home minister.Since September 1997, the Fulbari LCS is being used by Nepal as a transit corridor for its bilateral trade with Bangladesh. However, owing to the lack of adequate infrastructural facilities, the Union home ministry has so far not allowed the LCS to be used for India''s bilateral trade with Bangladesh.Along 12 other LCS across the country, the Union home ministry has now taken up a project to develop the Fulbari LCS as an Integrated Check Post (ICP) to boost bilateral trade with Bangladesh.
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