<p>"We urge the Indian government to take effective measures in this regard by providing duty-free access to our products there," said A.K. Azad, president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI).<br /><br />He expressed the fear that trade gap between the two South Asian neighbours would further widen unless the existing non-tariff barriers were withdrawn.<br /><br />Trade deficit between the two countries in the current financial year stands at $4 billion, against the previous fiscal year's $2.9 billion. <br /><br />Bangladesh imported Indian products worth about $4.57 billion in the fiscal year 2010-11, against about $512 million worth of goods it exported to India, the web news portal Bangladesh Business News reported Tuesday. <br /><br />"The trade gap between the countries is gradually increasing. It's not a good thing for the country," Khan said at a press conference organised here Sunday ahead of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Dhaka visit Sep 6-7.<br /><br />Several other trade organisations participated. <br /><br />Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) president Amjad Khan Chowdhury said visa-related problem is the biggest barrier to trade relations.<br /><br />"We'll not be economically benefited by any agreement if we do not have visa on arrival facility," Khan added.</p>
<p>"We urge the Indian government to take effective measures in this regard by providing duty-free access to our products there," said A.K. Azad, president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI).<br /><br />He expressed the fear that trade gap between the two South Asian neighbours would further widen unless the existing non-tariff barriers were withdrawn.<br /><br />Trade deficit between the two countries in the current financial year stands at $4 billion, against the previous fiscal year's $2.9 billion. <br /><br />Bangladesh imported Indian products worth about $4.57 billion in the fiscal year 2010-11, against about $512 million worth of goods it exported to India, the web news portal Bangladesh Business News reported Tuesday. <br /><br />"The trade gap between the countries is gradually increasing. It's not a good thing for the country," Khan said at a press conference organised here Sunday ahead of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Dhaka visit Sep 6-7.<br /><br />Several other trade organisations participated. <br /><br />Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) president Amjad Khan Chowdhury said visa-related problem is the biggest barrier to trade relations.<br /><br />"We'll not be economically benefited by any agreement if we do not have visa on arrival facility," Khan added.</p>