Business Association of Nagas sings MoU with IBCCI to promote trade relations

DIMAPUR — The Business Association of Nagas (BAN) and India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IBCCI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in order to promote and facilitate trade relations between the two organisations.

IBCCI, led by its President Abdul Matlub Ahmad; and BAN, led by its President Mongkum  Jamir; inked the MoU at Niathu Resort, Chumoukedima on Thursday.

The MoU aims to facilitate the exchange of information, expertise and technology in the area of agriculture, food processing, bamboo, tourism, textiles, IT services, mineral and renewable energy, an update from BAN stated.

It is also aimed at promoting and increasing bilateral trade and investment between Bangladesh and Nagaland, and to provide necessary assistance and support to respective business communities to enhance trade and investment cooperation.

It agreed to collaborate on joint projects and initiatives between the two countries, work towards reducing trade barriers and improving market access for each other’s goods and services, and hold periodic meetings to review the progress of the MoU and identify new areas of cooperation.

Meanwhile, Abdul Matlub Ahmad stated that the Prime Ministers of Japan and India have agreed to make use of the Matarbari deep sea port at Bangladesh at the earliest, and therefore urged the government of Nagaland to be the first to officially declare, among the Northeast states, to use the deep sea port in line with the government of India’s foreign policy and for the interest of the state.

He also expressed keen interest to buy bamboo pulp from the 700 acres of bamboo plantation in Tuli and explore avenues to make Tuli Paper Mill functional again.

“The President of IBCCI reiterated the upfront support of their government for import and export of agro-based and other resources for mutual benefit and also suggested direct connecting flight from Sylhet in Bangladesh to Dimapur,” it said.

Taking note of the dominance of Bangladesh in the textile sector, Mongkum Jamir requested the IBCCI to start initiatives in the textile sector in Nagaland, it said.

While thanking the visiting team, Jamir assured cooperation to take the MoU forward, it added.