Problems in some India-backed projects in Bangladesh to be resolved soon: Envoy
While some initial problems existed in major projects, steps have been taken to resolve them, says Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma.
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma has said both countries are satisfied with the progress of ongoing projects between them, but efforts are underway to resolve issues surrounding some major projects.
Problems arising from large projects under India's loan assistance programme would be resolved quickly, he told journalists after a meeting with Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury at the Secretariat today (8 March).
The high commissioner said they had discussed strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the financial sector, expanding economic ties and various other issues of mutual interest.
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He mentioned that the meeting had also covered the topic of Bangladesh's financial sector priorities, particularly easing business processes, tax reform and ensuring greater public participation in economic activities through expanded use of technology.
Responding to a question about the progress of projects under India's loan assistance programme, he said the progress was satisfactory.
While some initial problems had existed in major projects, steps had been taken to resolve them, he stated, adding that both sides were satisfied with the overall progress.
Verma said he had briefed the finance minister on India's experience in expanding financial inclusion through its digital public infrastructure and exchanged views on how technology could make economic participation more inclusive.
Development cooperation projects between the two countries had also been discussed, he added.
On trade, the high commissioner said discussions had been held on deepening trade and economic relations between Bangladesh and India, with emphasis on making existing sea, land and air connectivity more efficient and accessible to expand commerce.
He stated that simplifying various business processes would boost cooperation between businesspeople in both nations, increasing bilateral trade volumes as well as Bangladesh's exports to the Indian market.
The two sides had also touched on more closely integrating the two economies at the bilateral and regional levels, Verma added.
Verma expressed hope for positive and constructive future discussions on the potential use of ports between Bangladesh and India, stating that bilateral relations could be further strengthened on the basis of national development priorities, new ideas, technology and people-centred cooperation.
