Leaders of Tripura government yesterday asked Bangladesh to explore huge business opportunities in the north-eastern states to remove huge trade gap, and gave assurance of removingtariff and non-tariffbarriers.

Tripura is the gateway to the north-eastern region and it can help Bangladesh derive further economic advantages from a market that is estimated to be over $ 20 billion, which is more than twice the trade deficit of Bangladesh, they said.

The political and business leaders were addressing a conference titled “North East India and Bangladesh: Strengthening Ties” at

Pragna Bhawan in Agartala, jointly organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Indo-Bangla Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IBCCI).

They also laid emphasis on greater connectivity, removal of various trade blockade to facilitate trade and investment opportunities and strengthening of bilateral ties.

“We have to bring goods to Tripura and other states in north-eastern region from 2,000 to 2,500 miles away. But we know that Bangladesh produces those items, which are very good in quality and competitive in price. Businessmen can look into it,” said Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar while addressing the conference. The discussion was largely attended by the businessmen from Bangladesh and India's north-eastern region.

In response, Foreign Minister Dipu Moni said Bangladesh truly wants to make Chittagong and Mongla seaports into a business centre of this region and “we do not want to use it alone or only give it to India for use, but we also want NepalandBhutan to useit”

“Let us grow together... develop our nations and remove poverty and hunger from this regionforever," shesaid.

Theforeign minister said there are tariff and non-tariffbarriers to export Bangladeshi items to India, but “I firmly believe that removal of those obstacles is now a matter of time and it will take place very soon.”

She stressed the need for revival of old rail, road and river connectivity between Bangladesh and India. “There were links, but those were closed. Now, we just need to revive the routes."

Dipu Moni observed that the South Asian region is the world's less connected area and one of the poo rest regions.

Tripura chiefministeralso laid emphasis on connectivity with Bangladesh and pledged to look into the demands of Bangladeshi businessmen for reduction of tariff and allocating a house to set up Bangladesh Business Centre inAgartala.

He said in the present global context, there is no scope for any country to behave like a big brother. “No one can advance with this attitude,” hesaid.

Both India and Bangladesh should proceed with healthy competition.headded.

Tripura's Industries and Commerce Minister Jitendra Chaudhury in his speech said the north-eastern region of India has huge untapped natural resources in the form of minerals, natural gas, oil, coal, agri and horticulture produces, forests, rubber etc.

He said Tripura is a potential hub for trade with Bangladesh in the entire northeast India. “It is surrounded by Bangladesh on three sides that enables easy access to the eastern, central, southern regions and to some extent the north-eastern parts of Bangladesh fromTripura.”

Jitendra said the expansion of potential trade and commerce opportunities would require improved infrastructure on both sidesoftheinternationalborder.

“Even for Bangladesh, it would be most effective and economic to improve links in proximity of Tripura that already exist,"headded.

The programme was also addressed by Bangladesh High Commissioner in New Delhi Tareq A Karim, Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Rajeet Mitter, President of 1BCCI Abdul Matlub Ahmed, Managing Director of Tripura Power Company Sudhindra Kumar Dube, Chief Secretary of Tripura SKPanda and Principal Adviser of CflSSen.