FTA with Nepal in the ultimate stage
Bangladesh is near to signing a free of charge trade agreement (FTA) with Nepal, said Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi yesterday.
"We've reached a consensus with Nepal," the minister said in a gathering with visiting Nepalese Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali at the secretariat in Dhaka.
Bangladesh exported products -- mainly jute goods, battery, garment, toiletries and pharmaceuticals -- worth $38.05 million to Nepal in fiscal 2018-19 and imported goods worth $18.13 million.
Exports to Nepal to improve manifold in the near future after the signing of the FTA, Munshi said, adding that a secretary level meeting will be held on the signing of the FTA in Dhaka on March 3-4.
Some 26,255 Bangladeshis visited Nepal in 2018.
Bangladesh has given transit facilities to Nepal. Both countries now use Banglabandha land port and Nepal also offers the scope to use sea port of Bangladesh, the commerce minister said.
Work is currently going to increase communication through road, river and air with Nepal, Munshi added.
At the meeting, Gyawali expressed interest to use Syedpur airport and, in response, the Bangladeshi minister said they'll consider the landlocked country's call.
