Border haats open this month
Says commerce minister
The planned border haats, common marketplaces for both Bangladeshis and Indians, are likely to open officially this month to boost local business and trade between the two neighbours, the commerce minister said yesterday.
"Things have now been finally settled. Border haats will be formally opened within this month", Faruk Khan told the news agency over phone.
The minister said he would formally open the haats along with Indian Commerce and Industries Minister Anand Sharma. Faruk Khan, however, did not specify the date.
The border haats plan remained unimplemented although over 18 months have passed since the two countries agreed on their introduction.
Several deadlines mentioned by the government for opening the haats have already expired, with the last such deadline being March 2011. Bureaucratic tangles in both the countries have been blamed for the long delay in opening the border haats.
Initially, the border haats will be opened in Sonarhat-Lyngkhat (Sylhet-East Khasi Hills border), Baliamari-Kalaichar (Kurigram-West Garo Hills border), and Narayantala-Balat (Sunamganj-East Khasi Hills border).
Both countries have plan to open up at least 10 more haats in the future to revive the historic trade ties between Bangladesh and India, according to the ministry sources.
The two countries agreed to set up the border haats along their international boundary in the northeast when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited India in January last year.
Border haat launching was first scheduled for April 14 last year, coinciding with Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bangla New Year. The items produced within 10 kilometres of an area bordering the two countries will be traded in these haats.
Other commodities include locally produced agriculture and horticulture products, spices, minor forest products excluding timber, fresh and dry fish, dairy and poultry products, wooden furniture and cane products, handloom and handicraft items apart from materials useful for farmers.
Till 1971, border residents from then East Pakistan used to cross over to the Indian side for exchange of goods. But the border haats were closed after creation of Bangladesh.
Opening of border haats found mention in the joint communiqué issued by India and Bangladesh at the end of Hasina's visit in January last year.
Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) and Border Security Force (BSF) of India will ensure security in the border haats.
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