Indian Deputy High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pawan Kumar Badhe has called for broadening bilateral trade and investment, eliminating tariff and non-tariff barriers and enhancing commercial connectivity between Bangladesh and India.

He made the remarks during a courtesy meeting with Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Administrator Md. Fazlul Hoque at the FBCCI Gulshan office on Sunday.

Badhe underscored the importance of establishing a business-to-business (B2B) task force to facilitate trade and investment between the two countries.

He said his office has been maintaining regular communication and conducting discussions with the governments of both Bangladesh and India to accelerate the formation of the proposed task force.

He also sought cooperation from Bangladesh’s private sector, under the leadership of the FBCCI, to ensure the initiative becomes effective, according to an FBCCI press release.

The Indian deputy high commissioner also said India has recently eased visa procedures for Bangladeshi citizens travelling to India. The Indian High Commission in Dhaka is currently issuing around 5,000 visas a day, he added.

FBCCI Administrator Md. Fazlul Hoque said a joint task force could make a significant contribution to expanding bilateral trade and deepening mutual cooperation between Bangladesh and India.

He urged businesses and entrepreneurs from both countries to join hands in promoting investment and trade in emerging and promising sectors.

The meeting also explored avenues for further consolidating commercial relations and broadening business opportunities between the two neighbouring countries.