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Bangladesh propose land link within South Asia |
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August 25, 2000
Dhaka (UNB) – Bangladesh businesspeople called for building rail and road networks connecting important areas within South Asia for overall economic development of the region. The suggestion was made by country delegation in a three-day Asian Business Leaders Summit that concluded on August 20 in Bangalore, India. About 250 business delegates from the seven member- countries of SAARC joined the business summit. A 20-member delegation from Bangladesh led by Abdul Awal Mintoo, president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), attended the meet. On the first day of the summit, the 3rd meeting of Bangladesh-India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BICCI) was held there with its chairman Awal Mintoo in the chair. In his address Mintoo said Bangladesh and India would work together for overall economic growth of the two countries providing ample opportunities to the private sector. AS Kasliwal, vice-president of SAARC Chamber, requested the two governments to help the private sector and trade bodies in facilitating business and boost economic relations of the two countries. At the summit talks, the Bangladesh delegation observed that a joint inter-governmental private company could be established to build road links to connect all important territories and areas of the region. Chittagong Port should be built as the nodal point for trade purposes of the region, they said. The Bangladesh delegation observed that it is essential to ensure adequate investment in the region for the development of energy, including hydrocarbon, gas and coal-based power generation. Earlier on August 18, Chief Minister of Karnataka SM Krishna inaugurated the summit presided over by Qasim Ibrahim, president of the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI). During the discussions a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on cooperation was signed between the FBCCI and the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI). The MOU aims at promoting and strengthening cooperation, trade, investment, entrepreneurial development and upgrading technology for the benefit of small and medium enterprises. FBCCI Director Abdul Haque and FKCCI President Tallam Venkatesh signed the MOU on behalf of their respective sides. |