Ministry of Commerce & Industry

Posted On: 23 JUL 2018 6:28PM by PIB Delhi

First meeting of India-Bangladesh Joint Committee on Border Haats held in Agartala

The first meeting of the India-Bangladesh Joint Committee on Border Haats was held on 22-23 July 2018 inAgartala, Tripura. In the meeting both sides noted the positive impact of Border Haats on the livelihoods of the people living in areas adjoining the Haats. Extensive discussionswere held on issues related to review of operations of the four functional Border Haats and suggestions for improvement, timeline for setting up the six additional Border Haats that had earlier been agreed to by both sides and the roadmap for further expansion of Border Haats. It was agreed that the next meeting would be held in Bangladesh on mutually agreed dates.

The Joint Committee visited the Border Haat at Kamlasagar (Sipahijala District, Tripura) – Tarapur (Brahmanbaria, Bangladesh) on 22 July 2018, appreciated its vibrant functioning and noted the need for improvement of infrastructure.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Border Haats between India and Bangladesh signed on 8th April 2017 provides for establishment of a Joint Committee to review the border haats operations, suggest modifications in the operational modalities and propose new locations of Border Haats.

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MM/SB

Border Haats Joint Committee advances cross-border market cooperation, reviewing operations and planning expansion and infrastructure improvements. The Joint Committee established by the Memorandum of Understanding is tasked with reviewing operations of existing Border Haats, recommending changes to operational modalities, proposing new locations, and planning phased expansion; the committee noted positive livelihood impacts, identified infrastructure improvements, reviewed four functional haats, and agreed timelines and a roadmap for establishing additional haats with future meetings to be scheduled jointly.