AGARTALA, Oct 29 (TIWN): With the aim to boost the trade between India and Bangladesh, Tripura is moving ahead with the initiative to open a new border haat at Kamalpur under Dhalai district soon. Talking to TIWN correspondent on Thursday, Dhalai DM said that probabilities for opening the new border haat at Kampalpur are under full swing and the association is waiting for the joint meeting between the authorities of Tripura and Bangladesh. He further said that, the association has already given a proposal for conducting a joint meeting between the authorities of Tripura and Bangladesh for deciding the venue for the haat. Until and unless the meeting is conducted no progress can be made for the 3rd border haat in Tripura, said Dhalai DM. To progress with the border hat work it is quintessential to decide the venue for the haat and it can be derided once the authorities from both the side of Tripura and Bangladesh sits for joint meeting, added Dhalai DM. Apart, he also said that its being more than 15 days that the authority from Tripura has sent a proposal letter for joint meeting to Bangladesh but no response is receive yet. As soon as the response comes from Bangladesh for joint meeting, the chances for opening the 3rd border haat at Tripura will become more evident.

It is believed that the more number of border haat across the Tripura-Bangladesh border will not only help improve local trade but also make Tripura the entry point for Bangladesh products for all the states in India’s North-East.

The first ever border trade between Tripura (India) and Bangladesh is at Srinagar border haat under South district comes as boon for land-locked Tripura with the haat securing a good response from both the sides and the other is at Kamalasagar in Sipahijala district. 

After setting up a border 'haat' (market) near the India-Bangladesh international border at Srinagar in South Tripura district on January 13this year bordering Madhugram village of Feni district of Bangladesh, another such market at Kamalasagar in Sipahijala district, was opened to boost bilateral trade and enhance people to people contacts.

Altogether four border haats would be operational in Tripura; the two others are at Kamalpur in Dhalai district and Dharmanagar in North Tripura district.

These markets are set up at the zero line of the international border with one part on the Indian side and the other in Bangladesh.

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

Initially 16 items were shortlisted which include agricultural and horticultural crops, spices, minor forest products excluding timber, fish and dry fish, dairy and poultry products, cottage industry items, wooden furniture, handloom and handicraft items etc.