The chief minister also emphasised on maintaining close relationship between chamber bodies of the two countries.

Sonowal discussed the issues when a 14-member delegation of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) met him on Wednesday in Guwahati, said the DCCI on Thursday.

The Assam Chief Minister was especially excited about opening up the multimodal inter-connectivity between the northeast region of India and Bangladesh leading to significant enhancement of bilateral trade.

The delegation was in Guwahati to attend the “India Bangladesh Stakeholders' Meet” led by DCCI Senior Vice President Waqar Ahmad Choudhury.

The two-day event was jointly organised by Indian Commerce and Industry Ministry, Assam Government and Indian Chamber of Commerce.

During the meeting with the Chief Minister, Waqar Ahmad said the size of Bangladesh-Indiabilateral trade is about USD11 billion but the trade balance is -9:1 -in favour of India.

He emphasised the need for cross border trade and investment through increased cooperation and connectivity between the two friendly nations and the seven sisters as a potential outlet for Bangladeshi goods into the ASEAN market.

The delegation also met the Minister for Commerce and Industry of Assam Chandra Mohan Patowary and discussed in detail the trade opportunities between the two countries.

DCCI Vice President Imran Ahmed, Directors Hossain ASikder, Engr Akber Hakim, Mohammad Bashiruddin, EngrMd Al Amin, Shams Mahmud, SM Zillur Rahman, Alhaj Deen Mohammed, former Senior Vice President Alhaj Abdus Salam and former Director Alhaj Mohammad Sharfuddin were also present during the meeting.