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Nepal-Bangladesh trade fair gaining momentum

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February 16, 2001 

Panchagarh-- (UNB) – Nepal-Bangladesh trade fair, which began here last Saturday, is gaining momentum gradually despite poor participation from the Himalayan Kingdom due to restrictions in Indian border.

Only four stalls have so far been opened by the Nepalese in the first ever joint trade fair of the two SAARC countries although it was expected that at least 50 Nepalese stalls would display their commodities.

Participants from Nepal alleged that the Indian customs obstructed them while coming to Bangladesh through the Indian land. However, the number of Nepalese participants may rise to 15 in next few days, they hoped.

Nepalese goods bound for the month-long fair remained held up for long at the other side of the Banglabandha land port due to obstructions by Indian customs and Border Security Force, some Nepalese businessmen alleged.

Despite the problems, some Nepalese goods arrived and more goods are expected to arrive soon. The Nepalese goods on display in the fair include biscuit, crockery, dot-pens and some agricultural commodities.

Besides, some 40 commercial firms of Thakurgaon and Panchagarh as well as some popular brands like Tanin, Basundhara Tissue, Hamdard, PRAN Food, Otobi Furniture and Gemcon Ltd from Dhaka set up their stalls and pavilions in the fair.

Commerce Minister M Abdul Jalil inaugurated the first ever private-level joint trade fair at the local stadium of the northern bordering town on Saturday.

Panchagarh Chamber of Bangladesh and Michi Chamber of Nepal organised the fair with the assistance from Commerce Ministry, Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Federation of Nepal Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

M Delwar Hossain, president of Panchagarh Chamber and Pannalal Jain, former president of Michi Chamber took the initiative of holding the fair one year ago with the hope to create a positive impact on the bilateral trade.

“This fair will strengthen our demand to turn Banglabandha into a full-fledged land port,” Delwar Hossain told UNB.

Narendra Kumar Bhatt, president of Michi chamber said the fair would pave the way for bilateral trade and economic uplift of the two neighbouring countries by utilizing the Banglabandha transit route.

The well-decorated stalls and pavilions of the fair where various types of goods were put on display attracted a huge number of people including business people, housewives and even school children.

A police camp has been set up at the fair premises to ensure security to traders and buyers while a medical centre was opened for providing 24-hour first aid and other treatment facilities to the visitors.

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