AGARTALA, July 10 (TIWN): The border trades between India and Bangladesh has come out as a boon for the land-locked Tripura of northeastern state, which eyes to turn the volume of trade hefty towards socio-economic development and sustainable livelihood. At the meantime Tripura is all set to get more two border haats with neighbouring country Bangladesh, said top official of State Industry and Commerce Department. The official said, “Two more border haats would be set up at Dharmanagar Pal Bosti and the other at Kamalpur bordering Bangladesh District.” Adding to that he said that after Bangladesh Government had agreed to set up these two haats as the state industry department had moved forward to bring everything in right track. “We have also formed haat management committee and are now looking forward to conduct joint management committee meeting with Bangladesh which would be a preliminary towards setting up these haats,” official said to TIWN on Friday. “We have earlier proposed for 8 border haats here in Tripura, but later the Ministry of Industry and Commerce had agreed to set up only 4 at the first stage amongst which two had already come up and is functional,” he added. Official said, the main objective to set up the border haats here in the land-locked state is only to cater needs of the rural people towards developing socio-economic infrastructure of the state.However, layer asked about the current status of the trade volume of the existing border haats, official said, “During the three months till March this year the trade volume at the border haats rested at .84 crore, but we are looking forward to boost the trade towards touching the hefty profit in future.”

He also said that at present there are a total of 8 Land Custom Stations (LCSs) in Tripura amongst which 6 are being opened for export and import trades with Bangladesh.

“During the Financial Year 2014-15 till March 31, the total export volume rested at Rs. 1.02 crore whereas the volume of import from Bangladesh rested at Rs. 357.65 crore,” he said to TIWN.

He also said that earlier during the year 2014 the trade gap between Bangladesh and Tripura was huge due to the fluctuation of currency (Dollar) and also political unrest in Bangladesh had restricted the export and import business for some point of time.

“But, now we managed to cover the gap and are looking forward to cover up as a whole in the coming future,” official added.  

Both the countries in principle have accepted the need for opening up of more such border haats along the 4096 km border they share.

"Border haats cater to the masses on both sides of the border and help people to sell products presuming that there is no border. The state government on the basis of the response is keen to increase the number. Response of Bangladesh is also very positive and they are keen to open the border haats," said official.

He also informed that Bangladesh has agreed to allow India to use its river and sea port.

However, another two border haats are in the pipeline which is expected to set eye developing the socio-economic infrastructure of the land-locked Tripura.