By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: India and Bangladesh will resume their bilateral ties as the border haat at Kalaichar in West Garo Hills is all set to be inaugurated on Saturday.
The much awaited border haat will be inaugurated jointly by the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Anand Sharma and his Bangladesh counterpart Faruk Khan after prolonged closure of border haats for over 30 years.
Talking to media persons here in Shillong on the eve of inauguration, Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma said the move will have a positive impact on the livelihoods of people living in the border areas.
“These markets (haats) will be a source of employment besides it will provide scope for farmers to access to the market to sell their perishable goods,” Sangma added while talking to reporters here on Friday.
It is learnt that certain stretches of the State have suffered badly after the border haats were closed down way back in the 70’s and this has resulted in a huge loss for the State as well as the country.
According to Sangma, the Northeastern states can use Chittagong port as a transit route for exporting goods and products to other South East Asian countries.
However it is learnt that only some of the identified items and commodities will be allowed for trading in the much awaited border haats.
“There will be a huge transformation in the economy of the region if we renew our bilateral ties with the neighbouring country,” Dr Sangma asserted.
The Government is now contemplating to inaugurate the border haat at Balat in East Khasi Hills district after the inauguration of the Kalaichar border haat.
The closure of border haats on the pretext of “security” plunged the border villagers into a State of gloom for they depended largely on border trade to eke out their living.
But now with border haats all set to be revived people living in border areas of the State are once again dreaming of improved economy.