Dhaka, June 28 (UNB) - Bangladesh and India have discussed ways for fostering cooperation, enhancing efficiency, and advancing shared goals in customs administration so as to strengthen collective efforts in customs enforcement, trade facilitation, and border security.
 
The 7th commissioner-level Bangladesh-India joint group of customs meeting was held at Shillong on June 27-28.
 
The four-member Bangladesh delegation was led by Md. Kamruzzaman, Commissioner, Customs, Excise and  VAT Commissionerate, Jashore, while the 10-member Indian delegation was led by M Rahman, Commissioner of Customs Preventive Commissionerate, NER, Shillong.
 
Following the meeting, many pending issues at ground level were resolved, and many other issues were highlighted to be escalated at higher-level appropriate forums, thereby leading to the resolution of many customs and trade related issues, said the Press Information Bureau of India.
 
The Bangladesh head of delegation expressed gratitude to the Indian Customs for organising the meeting and making the deliberations result oriented.
 
Approved minutes were signed after both sides reached a consensus on several key issues relating to bilateral trade and customs procedures.
 
This meeting, therefore, marks a significant milestone in the bilateral relations between Indian and  Bangladesh, emphasizing our shared commitment to enhancing trade facilitation and cooperation between both nations.
 
Such constructive dialogue and partnership is essential to strengthen the efficiency and effectiveness of cross-border trade and promote economic growth and prosperity.
 
The decision to regularly hold Commissioner level meetings between India and Bangladesh was agreed in the 5th Joint Group of Customs Meeting held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on the 23rd of February, 2009.
 
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