Contract farming with Myanmar
I read with deep interest in DS today (20th April) about leasing at least 50,000 acres of land from Myanmar in its Rakhine state for cultivation on contract. This is an excellent idea and the Bangladesh government should do its utmost to materialise the plan. Both Bangladesh and Myanmar would be highly benefited economically by such activities.
Trade brings prosperity and border trade between Bangladesh and Myanmar needs to be improved substantially. It is surprising that current border trade between these two neighbours is US$10,000/- only. Is it any trade or a little smuggling activity? Border trade should be encouraged by both the governments. The government decision to increase border trade from current US$10,000 to $20,000 is ridiculous. Is US$20,000/- a trade amount between two countries? The decision, it is reported, was taken at a meeting of the inter-ministerial sub-committee on Bangladesh-Myanmar trade where the Commerce Secretary presided.
We should learn to think and act big.
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