Bangladesh, India decide to double purchase limit at ‘border haats’

Purchase limit for the buyers at ‘border haats’ (market) along Bangladesh-India frontier has been doubled.

Now a buyer will be able to purchase goods worth $200 (Tk 15,560) at these ‘haats’ as the two neighbours gear up to set up more such markets to boost bilateral ties and trade.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the commerce ministry to renew an MoU on Bangladesh-India ‘border haat.’

The neighbours are also planning to double the number of vendors at the ‘haats’.

Earlier, a customer was allowed to buy goods worth $100 (Tk 7,780) from a ‘border haat.’

India proposed to raise the ceiling to $300 (Tk 23,340).

Twenty-five vendors sell goods at each ‘haat’, but the neighbours are contemplating to double the number.

‘Border haats’ have been set up to facilitate marketing of products produced by inhabitants of remote border regions.

A decision to set up such markets was taken in 2010 during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s India visit.

The first one was opened in mid-2011.

India and Bangladesh have agreed to set up ‘border haats’ along their border in Tripura, Assam, Mizoram and Meghalaya.

At present, three ‘haats’ are in operation at Brahmanbarhia’s Kosba, Sunamganj’s Lauagarh, and Feni’s Chhagolnaiya.

Mostly, clothes, traditional goods, various tools, shoes, plastic and melamine goods and vegetables are sold at the ‘haats’.

They operate once a week for seven hours from 10am.

Commerce ministry’s Additional Secretary Manoj Kumar Roy told bdnews24.com the ministry took the view of stakeholders after India proposed to double the purchase ceiling and number of vendors.

“Everyone has agreed to double the purchase limit and number of vendors,” he said.

An MoU would be signed once the decision was implemented, he added.

Tripura, the most friendly Indian state towards Bangladesh, has sought at least 100 ‘border haats’ to boost local trade.

Meghalaya, too, has sought to set up at least 22 such 'haats'.

($1= Tk 77.8)