Amu sees business opportunities in India's north-eastern states

There is an enormous scope for expanding Bangladeshi businesses in the north-eastern states of India, said Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu yesterday.  

"The Bangladeshi business community has the capability to invest in and run businesses outside the country," he said.

The minister was addressing the inaugural session of the 10th northeast business summit "Development through Partnership with Asean and Bimstec Countries" held in New Delhi.

Indian Civil Aviation Minister P Ashok Gajapathi Raju, and Bhutanese Health Minister Lyonpo Tandin Wangchuk, among others, were present at the seminar.

Amu said they want to ensure seamless connectivity between the regions for collective prosperity.

"We want to facilitate and promote businesses in the Indian region through mutual cooperation and support," he said.  

He also talked about facilitating trade through a combined effort of the private and the public sectors.

The minister said as a neighbour of India, Bangladesh presents a large opportunity to improve business in the north-eastern states of India which would benefit both the countries economically.

Economic development due to smooth business environment would be possible once the barriers are addressed, he said.

Amu hoped the summit would be able to come up with firm recommendations for mutual cooperation and commitment for promotion of investment, trade facilitation and governance of natural resources and promotion of industrialisation.

"Together as a group, Asean and Bimstec countries will be able to forge strong partnership for the benefit of the two regions," he added.

The minister said as a regional organisation, Bimstec forms a bridge between South and South East Asia and reinforces the relationships among the countries of the regions.

Bangladesh and India share a border 4,096 kilometres long, out of which 2,217 kilometres is with West Bengal and the remaining with north-western states of India -- Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.