Observing the physical connectivity as the prerequisite to boost regional trade and investment, Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith on Saturday suggested building regional roads under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) programme, reports BSS. The minister, as speaking at a programme on the ways of increasing trade between the two neighbouring courtiers, also advised that the framework agreement signed last June among Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal should be implemented as earliest to achieve this goal. Muhith was addressing the concluding ceremony of the three-day India Investrade 2015, an annual event for showcasing Indian machinery, held at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in Dhaka. India Chamber of Commerce (ICC) with support from Indian High Commission in Dhaka and Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) organised the fair and the concluding programme. The finance minister said Bangladesh already offered and would extend all cooperation to establish and strengthen regional connectivity, which is also required for bolstering bilateral trade between Bangladesh and India. Besides, he said, the business communities of these two countries should decide on the effective ways of increasing bilateral trade and investment among them. He said this region could be developed as a common market for the huge population of the South Asia, in which Pakistan could also be a part. Finance adviser to the Prime Minister Dr Mashiur Rahman told the programme that the regional connectivity should be addressed with effective measures, which would also help increase trade and investment between Bangladesh and India. He said Bangladesh government has been developing two special economic zones in Mongla and Bheramara especially for Indian entrepreneurs so they could be encouraged to invest in this country. Indian High Commissioner Pankaj Saran said both Bangladesh and India made significant progress in establishing and strengthening regional connectivity when the scope for trade and investment between the two countries also expanded. FBCCI president Abdul Matlub Ahmed said businessmen should explore opportunities in Indian markets to help narrow the trade gap between the two countries.
