Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed has underscored the need for establishing more connectivity among the SAARC countries for further expansion of the regional trade and commerce, according to a press statement of the commerce ministry.
“Although one-fifth of the global population lives in South Asia, the trade volume among the countries is still very poor,” he told the closing session of the fifth SAARC Business Leaders Conclave in India yesterday.
The minister stressed the need for further establishing rail, road and waterways connectivity to boost trade and commerce among the SAARC member countries.
Terming India as the biggest market in the region, he urged the Indian authority to remove all the tariff and non-tariff barriers through consultations with the business communities, paving the smooth way for Bangladeshi products to the Indian market.
Apart from the conference, Tofail Ahmed made a courtesy call on Indian President Pranab Mukherjee and Indian Security adviser Sib Sanker Menon and discussed issues of bilateral interests.
Meanwhile, he held a discussion with the Indian Minister for Industry and Commerce Ananda Sharm to discuss about some bilateral issues. He urged his Indian counterpart to take some realistic steps for increasing trade volume between the two countries.
Tofail Ahmed urged the Indian minister to take steps for issuing one-year multiple entry visa for Bangladeshi businessmen. In reply, the Indian minister gave him a positive response.