Our Bureau
SHILLONG, May 18: Union Minister for Commerce and Industries Piyush Goyal has assured Meghalaya exporters that the Centre will address issues hindering trade with Bangladesh and ensure administrative delays do not hamper the ease of doing business.
The assurance followed a meeting on Monday with a delegation from the Federation of Licensed Exporters of Meghalaya (FeLEMA), led by Rikman G Momin. The delegation detailed several bottlenecks currently impeding international trade through the state.
Exporters cited frequent delays in consignment delivery, a lack of designated entry and exit points, shortage of space, and the abrupt closure of border haats. They also highlighted poor coordination at Land Customs Stations (LCS) due to the absence of a designated authority.
Goyal assured the delegation that the Centre would examine these grievances to prevent unnecessary losses for exporters holding valid permits. To expedite a resolution, the Union Minister directed the Joint Secretary of the Commerce Ministry to initiate a meeting with Meghalaya government officials at the Secretary level to address these long-pending concerns.
State awaits Centre’s nod to reopen border haats
The Meghalaya government is awaiting approval from the Centre to reopen border haats and expand trade infrastructure along the India-Bangladesh border, Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar said on Monday.
Dhar, who holds the Commerce and Industries portfolio, said the state has submitted multiple proposals to the Union government concerning border haats and Land Customs Stations to boost economic activity in border regions.
Addressing the bilateral nature of the request, Dhar explained that reopening the haats requires mutual consent from both India and Bangladesh.
“A number of proposals have been sent to the central government in terms of border haats and Land Customs Stations and we are waiting for the approval of the central government as these are international matters,” Dhar said. He noted that neither country can move to reopen the haats unilaterally.
The proposals are currently being screened by the Government of India and are expected to be discussed in coordination with the Bangladesh government.
Border haats are critical for local trade and the livelihoods of residents in remote areas. Their closure in recent years has significantly impacted small traders and border communities dependent on the cross-border exchange of goods.
