Envoy: Indian companies to help manufacture agro machinery in Bangladesh

Indian High Commissioner Pranay Kumar Verma yesterday said steps will be taken so that Indian companies can set up factories and produce agricultural machinery in Bangladesh.

"Initiatives will be taken to encourage India's Mahindra and other agriculture machinery manufacturers to set up their factories in Bangladesh and invest in the  manufacture and assembling of agricultural machinery locally in the country," he said. 

The Indian envoy gave the assurance during a meeting with Agricultural Minister Dr Mohammad Abdur Razzaque at the latter's ministry office in the Secretariat in Dhaka, according to a press release quoted by BSS. 

Verma expressed interest in signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for increasing cooperation between agricultural research institutes of the two countries. 

During the meeting, Dr Razzaque sought India's cooperation in the provision of onion and jute seeds for the upcoming summer season since the country witnessed a good yield of onions last summer  with the seeds imported from Maharashtra. 

Besides, the agriculture minister also sought India's cooperation in different areas, including imparting training to scientists, developing seed technology, supplying high-yielding varieties and seedlings of cashew and coffee as well as for agro processing and nanotechnology and biotechnology.

He also sought cooperation in combating terrorism, communalism, drug and human trafficking.

Agriculture Secretary Wahida Akter and Additional Secretary Md Ruhul Amin Talukder were present at the meeting

After the meeting with the Indian high commissioner, Dr Razzaque talked to journalists and said that the BNP could not topple the government through fire terrorism, movements, hartals, blockades and mass rallies.

"Not just by January 11, the BNP will not be able to topple the government even by December 11 next," he said.