Bangladesh explores jap Indian ports to boost commerce alternatives

A high-level delegation from Bangladesh, led by S M Mostafa Kamal, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, visited Kolkata between July 9 and 12, 2024, to discover new commerce alternatives that promise to cut back prices and time for Bangladesh’s export sector. Whole 13 member delegation, which included representatives from key ministries, non-public stakeholders, and ports of Bangladesh, aimed to evaluate the potential of utilizing Jap Indian ports for his or her export cargo transshipment wants. This go to marks a major step within the ongoing efforts to strengthen Indo-Bangladesh bilateral commerce relations and enhance maritime connectivity between the 2 nations.

Throughout their keep, the Bangladeshi delegation visited the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMP) in Kolkata and different main ports on the east coast, together with Chennai in Tamil Nadu, and Visakhapatnam and Krishnapatnam ports in Andhra Pradesh. The aim of those visits was to judge the infrastructure, services, and operational efficiencies of those ports to find out their suitability for dealing with Bangladesh’s export cargo. The delegation’s major focus was on assessing the advantages of transshipping by means of SMP, Kolkata, which may doubtlessly function a strategic hub for reaching third nations.

The delegation’s go to to SMP Kolkata was notably vital, given the port’s strategic location and sturdy infrastructure. Conferences had been held with prime officers from SMP, together with Chairman Rathendra Raman, Deputy Chairman (Kolkata) Samrat Rahi, and Deputy Chairman of Haldia Docks A Ok Mehra. Officers from the Inland Waterways Authority of India additionally participated within the discussions.

SMP officers highlighted a number of benefits of utilizing their port for transshipment. These included the provision of empty containers, shorter transit occasions in comparison with different main Jap Indian ports, devoted vessels for the Bangladesh-India routes, and the potential for optimizing operational prices. A price comparative evaluation introduced through the conferences revealed that transport export cargo from Chittagong to SMP can be extra economical than transshipping by means of different main ports like Colombo. The 2-way vessel motion between Bangladesh and India was emphasised as a major consider lowering general transportation prices, making a mutually useful commerce proposition for each nations.

SMP Kolkata has bold future improvement plans geared toward enhancing its capabilities and providers. These plans embrace the introduction of direct voyages between SMP Kolkata and China, vessel motion between SMP Kolkata, Chittagong, and Yangon port, the implementation of a Night time-Navigation System, and the extension of allied service services at SMP Kolkata. These developments are anticipated to considerably enhance the port’s capability to deal with elevated cargo volumes and enhance its effectivity in serving as a transshipment hub.

The delegation’s go to additionally targeted on exploring alternatives to make the most of the prevailing 4 Indo-Bangladesh protocol routes by way of waterways to decongest Bangladesh’s ports. By leveraging these routes, Bangladesh goals to boost its export logistics, scale back congestion at its ports, and streamline the motion of products. This initiative aligns with the broader aim of enhancing maritime connectivity and fostering nearer financial ties between the 2 nations.

The go to was a follow-up to the India-Bangladesh Transport Secretaries Stage Talks (SSLT) held in Dhaka in December 2023. These talks laid the groundwork for the present exploratory go to, underscoring the dedication of each nations to boost their maritime commerce cooperation. The discussions through the SSLT talks emphasised the significance of leveraging one another’s strengths to spice up commerce and financial development.

The delegation’s go to concluded on a optimistic notice, with either side expressing optimism concerning the potential advantages of enhanced maritime connectivity. The Bangladeshi delegation assured {that a} detailed report of their findings can be submitted to the Ministry of Transport, Bangladesh, and communicated to India by means of diplomatic channels. This report is predicted to offer invaluable insights and suggestions for additional strengthening bilateral commerce relations and optimizing the usage of Indian ports for Bangladesh’s export wants.

The profitable conclusion of the delegation’s go to is predicted to pave the best way for a brand new period in Indo-Bangladesh commerce relations. By leveraging the strategic location and infrastructure of Indian ports, Bangladesh stands to achieve vital benefits by way of lowered transportation prices, shorter transit occasions, and improved effectivity in its export logistics. For India, enhanced cooperation with Bangladesh presents a chance to strengthen its place as a key maritime hub within the area and enhance its personal export-import commerce.

The exploratory go to by the Bangladeshi delegation marks a major milestone in efforts to strengthen maritime connectivity and commerce cooperation between India and Bangladesh. By exploring new commerce avenues and capitalizing on India’s port infrastructure benefits, each nations are poised to unlock substantial financial advantages and foster deeper bilateral commerce relations. The optimistic outlook following the go to underscores the potential for a mutually useful commerce framework that drives financial development and prosperity for Bangladesh and India alike.

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