'Efforts underway to address trade gap with B'desh'

Noting that the "huge" trade gap largely in favour of India was a major concern in ties with Bangladesh, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday said a process was underway to address this issue and improve bilateral relations. Mukherjee, who nearly had an hour-long talk with Bangladesh's Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhary in Dhaka, said that the "huge" trade gap was a major concern in bilateral ties. But, the minister, who is on a day-long visit to Bangladesh to witness the cyclone devastation in southwestern coastlines, said a process was underway to reduce it. He said the recent agreement allowing Bangladesh to export 80 lakh pieces of ready-made garments without citing previously needed "origin of certificate" was a major step towards that end.
Mukherjee said New Delhi is also expected to announce a package for the least developed regional countries, including Bangladesh, shortening its "sensitive list" for imported products later this month. He said the two countries are also likely to witness direct railway links after resolution of some "technical issues" while they reached a consensus to resolve all other issues through bilateral talks. On his arrival, Mukherjee formally handed over 36.4 tonnes of relief material supplied under 'Operation Sahayata' (Op Help) to Bangladeshi authorities.
Echoing Mukherjee's views, Chowdhary said, "the bilateral relations are progressing in a smooth manner and we will take them to a level when they will stabilise for a permanent period." He appreciated prompt Indian response for the cyclone survivors offering succour, including waiving a ban on rice export up to 5.5 lakh tonnes.
Mukherjee, during his talks with Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed earlier, offered Indian assistance for total rehabilitation of 10 cyclone-ravaged coastal villages reconstructing their communication lines, power systems and the affected infrastructure, including schools, under a "comprehensive and integrated" approach.
India lifts ban on rice export to cyclone-hit Bangladesh
Sharing the grief of cyclone-hit Bangladesh, India on Saturday decided to lift a ban on export of rice up to 5.5 lakh tonnes to the neighbouring country and proposed to adopt its 10 worst affected villages as part of overall assistance package. External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee made these announcements in the Bangladeshi capital, as he handed over a fresh consignment of Indian relief material to Bangladesh's Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Chowdhury at the Zia International Airport soon after his arrival for a day-long visit.
He noted that India has already supplied relief material, including medicines, blankets, ready-to-eat meals, tents and portable water purifiers worth about Rs 6 crore since the tropical cyclone, 'Sidr' struck Bangladesh on November 15, killing around 3,500 people besides causing widespread devastation.
"India has always attached high importance to its relations with Bangladesh... It is, therefore, but natural that, like always, we stand by Bangladesh in its efforts to rebuild the lives of those affected by the cyclone," Mukherjee told reporters.
"I have come in a situation which is painful for the people of Bangladesh and all of us," he said as he expressed "deep sadness" on behalf of Indian government and people over the tragedy that struck the friendly neighbour.
Given the magnitude of the natural calamity, he said, India has decided to waive the ban on export of rice to Bangladesh for additional five lakh tonnes. India has already announced waiver of ban on export of rice to Bangladesh for 50,000 tonnes, Mukherjee said. Besides, 20,000 tonnes of rice is being sent by sea to Chittagong.
Source:- http://www.headlinesindia.com/archive_html/02December2007_64663.html