From Our Spl Correspondent
NEW DELHI: In first development, Bhutan has urged Bangladesh to notify Dalu – Nakugaon and Ghausapara- Haluaghat land ports for transshipment export-import trade.
India had allowed Bhutan to use two new land customs stations at Meghalaya as transshipment points for trade with Bangladesh following long pending demand from the Himalayan state. Bhutanese Embassy in Dhaka has also informed the Bangladesh Government about Indian decision with a request to notify Nakugaon and Haluaghat land ports for transshipment export-import trade with Bhutan, official sources said here on Saturday.
“The government of India has agreed to allow use of Dalu and Ghausapara Land Customs Stations in Meghalaya, which are adjacent to Nakugaon and Haluaghat land ports, for Bhutan’s trade with Bangladesh,” the sources here said.
The foreign ministry has informed the Bhutanese embassy that the government has already notified Nakugaon-Dalu and Tamabil-Dawki land customs stations as dedicated port for Bangladesh-Bhutan bilateral trade. But the government needs further study whether a new route is actually justified for transshipment when two old routes are in place as the trade between the two countries is insignificant.
The trade between Dhaka and Thimpu is insignificant with imports from Bhutan standing at US$18.48 million as against exports from Bangladesh worth only US$ 3.12 million in 2010-11, showing Bhutan enjoining a comfortable trade balance.
Dhaka had earlier offered Thimpu duty-free access of some products and to use Chittagong and Mongla Ports while Thimpu extended cooperation to meet the power deficit of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh imports from Bhutan include boulders, dolomite, gypsum, dust coal, slate, graphite, timber and fruits and fruit products (jelly and jam), and exports to Bhutan include consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, jute products, newsprint, chemicals, detergents and light machinery.
Bhutan Airlines operate between the two countries and people-to-people contact has increased considerably.
