New Delhi, Mar 5 (KNN) The two South Asian neighbouring countries India and Bangladesh have agreed upon for development of railway and port infrastructure to boost bilateral trade during the Commerce Secretary level meeting in New Delhi on Friday. 

Joint Study on Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), Border Haats, Regional connectivity through Multi-Modal Transportation, Harmonization of Standards, Mutual Recognition Agreement were also the main areas of discussion.

The delegations talked about CEPA study to be finalized at the earliest and the CEO forum to have the first meeting soon.

The Indian delegation was led by Commerce Secretary, Government of India, B.V.R. Subrahmanyam and the Bangladesh delegation was led by Senior Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Government of Bangladesh, Tapan Kanti Ghosh.

Previously the 14th meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) on Trade, at the level of Joint/Additional Secretaries of both countries was held on on 2-3 March in New Delhi. 

It was agreed that the next meetings of the JWG and Commerce Secretaries will be held in Bangladesh, at mutually convenient dates. 

India saw Bangladesh at the fifth position in its list of top export destinations for FY-21, a jump from the ninth rank in 2019-20, with an annualised growth of 10.83 per cent to USD 9.09 billion. 

Major items exported to Bangladesh by India during the April-October 2021 period include cotton, cereals, electricity and fuel, vehicle parts, and machinery and mechanical appliances. (KNN Bureau)