Indian and Bangladeshi exporters and importers trading through the Mahadipur land port in Malda district discussed further measures that would further boost bilateral trade through this route.

According to the Telegraph, a trade summit is held between these two countries on January 15 on aspects of border trade. “Wednesday’s meeting at Mahadipur was a preparatory talk before the summit,” the newspaper said.

Bilateral trade between the two neighbours is estimated at around $10 billion but analysts said that the volume and value of informal trade is “substantial.”

“At the meeting, we spoke on increasing goods trucks to Bangladesh. As of now, 300 to 350 trucks enter Bangladesh via Mahadipur every day (except Friday). We want at least 500 trucks to go every day,” the newspaper said, quoting Prasenjit Ghosh, secretary of the Mahadipur Exporters’ Association. Connectivity is an area which is already being looked into by the administrations of both sides.

Earlier, a report by CUTS International said that India and Bangladesh need to focus on measures that will further legitimise and facilitate movement of goods and boost formal trade in the border areas.

The World Bank has highlighted that seamless transport connectivity between India and Bangladesh has the potential to increase national income by as much as 17 per cent in Bangladesh and 8 per cent in India.