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NEW DELHI, Aug 29: The three-day Sixth Joint Working Group meeting on Trade between Bangladesh and India ended here today with the signing of the agreed minutes at the Udyog Bhaban here, reports BSS.
Leader of the Bangladesh delegation, Dr
Mohammad Ruhul Amin Sarker, joint secretary, ministry of commerce and Rajeev Kher, joint secretary of the ministry of commerce and industry, of India signed the minutes on behalf of their respective sides.
Under the agreed minutes, the India decided to enter into a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) between Indian testing laboratory BIS and Bangladesh''s BSTI for cooperation in relation to standards following which products like processed foods and biscuits would get entry to Indian markets, informed sources told BSS.
The sources said, India has also agreed to issue certificates for a period of six months to the Hilsha fish importers in India instead of giving certificate on a single consignment basis.
The JWG also decided that hence forth, Bangladesh trucks carrying export commodities can enter the warehouses at Petrapole border in India for unloading purposes.
The sources added that the Indian request to setting up of Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Bangladesh,would be considered in due course and Dhaka has requested Indian investors to utilize the existing Export Processing Zones (EPZs) in Bangladesh. Besides, the two sides also discussed on Technical Barrier to Trade (NTBs), on Non Tariff and Para Tariff Barriers, Trade Facilitation and Infrastructure.
Talking to BSS on Friday, Rajeev Kher has said that the meeting was taking place after a gap of one year.
The meeting was to be held in 2008. He said, they held talks at an atmosphere of cordiality and friendship.
"The Bangladesh side was open and candid and we discussed all issues with an open mind. The present governments in India and Bangladesh are working for the betterment of the two peoples," Dr Ruhul Amin Sarker, who led a seven-member Bangladesh delegation, said the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere where all issues were addressed.
He expressed the hope that all outstanding issues would be resolved through discussions and dialogues.
Habibur Rahman, Commercial Councilor of Bangladesh High Commission and member of the Bangladesh delegation said that the two sides held talks with openness and resolved to clear up other issues in due course.

source : http://www.newstoday-bd.com