Guwahati, March 7 : Inspired by the success of the Made in Northeast India show — the first standalone expo on handicrafts of Northeast India — in Thailand, Bangladesh has evinced a keen interest in hosting a similar event to establish closer links with the region.
“Why can’t we have a Made in Northeast India show in Bangladesh which is the closest neighbour to the region?” asked Syed Masud Mahmood Khundoker, deputy high commissioner of Bangladesh, at an international buyer-seller meet here today.
The meet was organised by Industries and Trade Fair Association of Assam in association with the office of development commissioner (handicrafts).
The Made in Northeast India show was also organised by the Industries and Trade Fair Association of Assam and supported by development commissioner (handicrafts), ministry of textiles, in Bangkok from January 26 to 31.
Speaking on the common values and culture of Bangladesh and the Northeast, Khundoker said the people of both regions shared rapport. A variety of products from different parts of the region was exhibited at the buyer-seller meet held in a city hotel .
Khundoker said trade was growing with India, though a trade imbalance still existed. While India exported goods worth $2.4 billion to Bangladesh, the latter, however, could export goods worth $350 million.
“There is a lot of scope in trade considering the geographical proximity,” Khundoker said, adding that trade between Bangladesh and the region could increase. While Bangladesh imports coal and limestone from the Northeast, exports from the country to the region are few.
Inaugurating the meet, Assam industries minister Pradyut Bordoloi said efforts were on to promote Brand Northeast as this was important in today’s world of regional integration.
“The situation has changed a lot now and the Northeast is integrating its future with its neighbours,” Bordoloi said.
The minister said as the region was the closest landmass to its Southeast Asian neighbours, it is time that the Northeast played a pivotal role. “The Northeast could become an interface with Southeast Asia for India,” Bordoloi said.
Tharadol Thongruang, counsellor (commercial) in the Royal Thai embassy, was today made a life member of Industries and Trade Fair Association of Assam for his contribution in forging links between Thailand and the Northeast.
Thanking the organisers, Thongruang said a lot had changed since he had first visited the region five years back.
S. Dkhar, regional director (Northeast) in the office of development commissioner handicrafts, said they were focussing on making innovative designs so as to get more value for the products.
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