Nepal keen to use Bangladesh ports instead of Kolkata

Nepal is keen to use Bangladeshi ports instead of Kolkata port. Nepal's Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr. Banshidhar Mishra paid a courtesy call on FBCCI Senior Vice President Mostofa Azad Chowdhury Babu at FBCCI 60 Motijheel, Dhaka on Thursday afternoon.Despite having cultural similarities and remarkable diplomatic relations, it was unfortunate that bilateral trade did not reflect it, he said.

Ambassador Dr. Banshidhar Mishra said the two countries have huge potential in hydropower and commodity trade. He called on Bangladeshis to invest in the hydropower sector, saying Nepal is the second most promising country in the world after Brazil. Due to the complex conditions, he thinks that the trade between Nepal and Bangladesh is being hampered. Meanwhile, the senior vice-president of FBCCI said that Bangladesh produces more potatoes than the demand. Nepal can import these surplus potatoes from Bangladesh at comparatively low prices.

While addressing, The Senior Vice-President of the FBCCI stated that a large number of Nepalese medical students are studying here in Bangladesh; he wanted to know about the possibility of setting up medical colleges in Nepal. The ambassador said other cities except Kathmandu have the opportunity.

During the meeting, the country's ambassador mentioned the various complications of multiple visas for Bangladeshis visiting Nepal. He hopes that with the BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement, these complications will be reduced. Mentioning the complexities of using Kolkata port in international trade, the ambassador said Nepal is keen to use the ports of Bangladesh.

Dr. Mishra called for keeping Nepal in the discussion of the Ganges water agreement, as two-thirds of the river's water comes from Nepal during the dry season.The Ambassador expressed his gratitude for Bangladesh's cooperation in the 2015 earthquake and the recent Corona epidemic. FBCCI vice-president MA Momen called for research on the potential and vulnerabilities of bilateral trade.

FBCCI Vice President Md. Amin Helali and CEO Mohammad Mahfuzul Haque were also present on the occasion.