Srinagar(Indo-Bangla Border), South Tripura, January 13 (TIWN): The first border 'haat' along the Tripura-Bangladesh frontier was jointly inaugurated by Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Commerce & Industry Nirmala Sitharaman and her Bangladeshi counterpart Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed at Srinagar in South Tripura district of the state, here today. Addressing in the inaugural ceremony, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Commerce & Industry Nirmala Sitharaman said that India is planning to open more border haats along Indo-Bangla corridor, ICPs and Land Customs along the Indo-Bangla international border to provide more trade facilities to the bordering people. India is keen to set up 70 border markets along its border with Bangladesh.India, in consultation with the Bangladesh government and respective state governments, has identified 70 locations in five border states to set up 'border haat' in a phased manner, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Commerce & Industry Nirmala Sitharaman said. Of the 70 'border haat', 35 have been proposed along the border with West Bengal, followed by 22 along Meghalaya border, five in Tripura and four in Assam, Nirmala Sitharaman added.

The border haat are allowed to sell local agricultural and horticultural products, spices, minor forest produce (excluding timber), fresh and dry fish, dairy and poultry products, cottage industry items, wooden furniture, handloom and handicraft items. The trading in the 'border haat' initially would be done once a week and is likely to be twice in a week in future depending on the demands of the local traders and buyers, said Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed.

MP Jitendra Choudhury said that it is a very good step to strengthen the relationship between India and Bangladesh. The border haat at Srinagar and the roads on Indian side were constructed by India at a cost of Rs 2.4 crore, he added.

No local taxes would be imposed on the items to be sold in the haats and currencies of both the countries would be accepted.

Two border haat were set up in 2012 on Meghalaya-Bangladesh border - Kalaichar (India)-Baliamari (Bangladesh) and Dalora (Bangladesh)-Balat (India).

India and Bangladesh share 4,096-km border along West Bengal (2,216 km), Tripura (856 km), Assam (263 km), Meghalaya (443 km) and Mizoram (318 km). The two neighbours have 2,979 km of land border and 1,116 km of river line boundaries.