India-Bangla trade must grow faster, says Pranab

Petrapole (West Bengal), Jan 21 (IANS) Stressing the need to further improve trade and commerce with Bangladesh, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee Saturday said India's decision to allow duty-free entry to a large number of items from it would help correct the trade imbalance.

'The political relations between the two countries are improving. There is now a need for faster growth of trade and commerce,' Mukherjee said at this India-Bangla border post in West Bengal's North 24-Parganas district.

In November, India permitted duty-free entry of a large list of products from Bangladesh to substantially correct the trade imbalance.

'Overall, we export more to Bangladesh and import less from them,' he said.

Bangladesh Finance minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith said India has reciprocated the Sheikh Hasina government's efforts to improve bilateral ties.

The two ministers attended the function where a car pass system was introduced for truck drivers and helpers engaged in export-import activities between the two countries.

It will facilitate easy loading and unloading of goods in the border areas and prevent unauthorised persons from crossing the borders.