Trading activities kick off at Balat border haat

BALAT: People residing on both sides of Indo-Bangladesh international border are optimistic that the opening of trading activities at the border haat in Balat would go a long way in improving bilateral relations between the two neighbouring nations.

They also hope that this latest initiatives of reopening the border haats by the two Governments (Bangladesh and India) would help to improve the livelihoods of people residing on both sides of the international border.

The commodities to be traded in these haats would include locally produced agriculture and horticulture products, spices, minor forest products excluding timber, fresh and dry fish, dairy, fishery and poultry products, products of cottage industries, wooden furniture and cane products, handloom and handicraft items besides materials useful for farmers.

A vendor from the Indian side Sita Mary Wahlang said that the Centre has done the right thing in allowing trading activities to begin, pending the formal inauguration of the border haat.

“We have been eagerly waiting for this day to see that the trading activities along this border haat would finally take off. I hope that the opening of this border haat would help in improving the livelihoods of people on both sides of the border,” Wahlang said after the trading activities formally kicked off in the border haat at Dolura-Balat (Sunamganj-East Khasi Hills border) on Tuesday.

She also believes that the two Governments have done the right thing by re-introducing the concept of border haat which had been there before the Partition.

“I am sure that the opening of this border haat would help to further strengthen the bilateral relations between the two neighbouring countries,” Wahlang said.

She however appealed to the authorities to ask the concerned banks from both India and Bangladesh to set up branches along the border as soon as possible so that vendors would not face problems in currency exchange.

“At present there is a lot of confusion among the vendors since they are not too sure where they should exchange the money,” Wahlang said.

Another vendor from the Indian side Ambor Wanniang feels that this is a good initiative taken by the two Governments since it would allow people from both sides of the border to sell the locally produced goods at the border haat.

“We understand that it is difficult for the people from the border to go all the way to the main market in Shillong to sell their goods. But this border haat has provided us with an outlet for our products,” Wanniang said.

Meanwhile, a vendor from the Bangladesh side Kamaluddin Md Ali Akbar from Gujugram Sunamganj district expressed happiness that the trading activities have finally taken off through the border haat.

“We have come to the haat for the first time. It is an exciting experience. It is a good beginning for India and Bangladesh,” Akbar said.

Another vendor from Bangladesh Md Moksud Ali from Konapara said that they have all come to this haat with lots of expectations.

“Only God knows how this trade would move forward. We want to do our business with respect and goodwill,” he said.

Imran Josimuddin a college student from the nearby area in Sunamganj said that this border haat would help to cement the goodwill and friendship amongst the two countries.

“We have a lot to share. In Bangladesh people love everything about India as we are neighbours and share a lot in common. We love cricket and are following the IPL on Sony max, B TV and other satellite channels,” he said.

KHADC CEM Pyngshngain N Syiem who was instrumental in getting this border haat going said he is happy that after so many years of struggle trading activities along the border has finally take off.

Normally the Bangladeshis vendees buy betel nut as the item is cheaper compared to what is available in Bangladesh and Indians buy literally all Bangladeshi items ranging from clothes to vegetables and eatables.

It may be mentioned that there are 25 vendors each from both Bangladesh and India who have been given a stall to operate their business inside the border haats.

However, there are a total of 1000 vendees from the Indian side while there are three hundred vendees from Banglades