Suresh Prabhu at a Civic reception in Bhola, Bangladesh.

The Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation, Suresh Prabhu, began a 3-day visit to Bangladesh from September 24, 2018.

During his 3-day visit Suresh Prabhu will hold discussions on Bangladesh - India trade relations with his Bangladesh counterpart, Mr. Tofail Ahmed. He will also meet business leaders in Dhaka. Bilateral trade between India and Bangladesh has grown steadily over the last decade. In the five years for the period between FY 2012-13 and FY 2016-17, total trade between the two countries has grown at a compounded annual growth rate of 11.45%. Bilateral trade stood at USD 7.52 billion in 2016-17. India’s exports to Bangladesh for the financial year 2016-17 stood at USD 6.82 billion and imports from Bangladesh during FY 2016-17 stood at USD 0.7 billion. For 2017-18 (April-December), India's exports to Bangladesh was USD 5862.73 million and import figures stood at USD 463.34 million.

Earlier today the Minister visited the Liberation War Museum in Banglabazar, Bhola, which commemorates the Bangladesh Liberation War that led to the independence of Bangladesh. He also visited an old age home in Bhola. The Minister was given a civic reception in the Fatema Khatun Degree College in Bhola. While speaking on this occasion, the Minister spoke about the close ties between India and Bangladesh and the commonalities in culture and also on the growing opportunities in bilateral trade and investments. The Minister said that India and Bangladesh have recently partnered in the construction of cross-border oil pipe line and new rail projects.

During his stay in the Bangladesh capital, Suresh Prabhu will also meet the Bangladesh Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, Mr. A.K.M. Shahjahan Kamal and Bangladesh Minister of Road Transport and Bridges, Mr. Obaidul Quader.  The Commerce Minister will also call on the President of Bangladesh, Abdul Hamid.

Bilateral trade discussions strengthen economic cooperation and pursue cross-border infrastructure, rail and pipeline partnerships and investment ties. The ministerial visit focused on strengthening bilateral trade and economic cooperation through discussions with the Bangladesh counterpart, meetings with business leaders and sectoral ministers, and promotion of cross-border infrastructure projects such as oil pipeline and rail initiatives, set against recent trade growth and export-import composition.