AGARTALA, May 20 (TIWN): The foundation stone laying ceremony for setting up of second border haat at Kasba – Brahmanbariya in Sepahijala district will held tomorrow afternoon. The Joint Border Haat Committee with officials from Sephahijala district and Brahmanbariya district administration is schedule to remain present. The five member Bangladesh delegate will be led by Additional District Magistrate (ADM) of Brahmanbariya district – Nazma Begum.

 The border haat will be built at an estimate cost of Rs 2.54 crore covering an area of 75 x 75 sq.mt. The first foundation stone for setting up of the first border haat was laid at Srinagar check-post in South Tripura district last year, the construction of border haat is expected to be completed end of this year.

The country had its first border haat with Bangladesh at Kalaichar in West Garo Hills of Meghalaya in 2011. Both nations had agreed to set up 8 more border haats in northeastern region. It will be functional a day in a week.

The Tripura government had earlier demanded seven border haats along the Tripura border. In the first phase, four such markets were agreed upon by the two countries. If the existing border infrastructure is upgraded, the volume of trade and business between Bangladesh and the northeastern states of India would increase by five to six times of the current level.

The border haats would be allowed to sell local agricultural and horticultural products, spices, minor forest products (excluding timber), fresh and dry fish, dairy and poultry products, cottage industry items, wooden furniture, handloom and handicraft items. An official of the state industry and commerce department said no local tax would be imposed on the trading and both Indian as well as Bangladeshi currencies will be accepted.