Bangladesh-India
Bangladesh-India flight frequency ‘to increase’
India and Bangladesh have mutually decided to increase the frequency of flights under the Air Bubble arrangement from 7 to 21 per week per country.
The decision, which is expected to benefit the passengers travelling for medical and business purposes, will take effect on October 15.
On August 28, the Indian Civil Aviation ministry in a statement said that flight operations between the two countries may resume from September 3 under the air bubble agreement.
Bangladesh-India air bubble flights likely to restart Sept 4
The air bubble flights between Bangladesh and India are likely to be resumed Saturday, instead of Friday, before the restart of scheduled international passenger flights, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB).
The proposal of resumption of air bubble flights with seven frequencies has been accepted. However, a proposal of allocation of 10 frequencies is in place for consideration.
Irrespective of the Covid-19 vaccination, any passenger travelling from India will have to complete a 14-day strict home quarantine. All other related provisions, including the requirement of mandatory RT-PCR test, would apply to such passengers as mentioned in Air Transportation Circular issued on August 16, which may be amended from time to time.
Read: Bangladesh-India air bubble flights likely to resume Sept 3
However, the carriage of passengers can be restricted to 90% of the total seating capacity of the aircraft used.
In addition to the requirement to the category of passengers, suggested in its previous letter issued on August 4, CAAB proposed including "passengers with business visa" – namely to help airlines crew to travel to India for simulator training.
On August 28, the Indian civil aviation ministry said in a statement that flight operations between the two countries may resume from September 3 under the air bubble agreement.
Bangladesh-India air bubble flights likely to resume Sept 3
The air bubble flights between Bangladesh and India may be resumed on September 3 before the restart of scheduled international passenger flights, according to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.
Flight operations under the air bubble will begin with seven frequencies per week – for carriers of either country.
Any passenger from India can travel to Bangladesh irrespective of Covid vaccination status.
About the restriction of passengers on narrow-body aircraft, the Indian carriers have intimated that there are multiple configurations of narrow-body aircraft in their fleet.
So, instead of a blanket restriction of 140 passengers per aircraft, the Indian civil aviation ministry proposed that the capacity may be restricted to a specific percentage of the installed seat capacity of the aircraft, for example, 90% or 95%.
Also, the proposal did not restrict visa types; only tourist visas are still closed.
In addition, the permission has not been limited to vaccinated persons and no quarantine requirement specified.
The only limiting fact is the number of flights, seven per side every week.
Bangladesh-India: Better cooperation to ensure more trade benefits
Bangladesh and India can reap more mutual trade benefits through better collaboration – namely, in the apparel and textile industry – Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan said Thursday.
"There are great opportunities for Bangladesh and India to complement each other in boosting apparel and textile business in both countries," he said.
The BGMEA president made the remarks as Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami paid a courtesy call on the BGMEA leaders at the office of the apparel industry's apex body.
BGMEA Vice-President Shahidullah Azim; directors Asif Ashraf, Md Mohiuddin Rubel, Tanvir Ahmed, and Abdullah Hil Rakib, Indian Deputy High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dr Binoy George, and Commercial Representative of the High Commission Dr Pramyesh Basall were also present at the meeting.
They discussed existing problems in export-import – namely, in ready-made garments (RMG) and textile industry – possible ways to address them, and potential areas of further collaboration between Bangladesh and India to derive mutual trade benefits.
Read: After 56 yrs, Bangladesh-India rail link to reopen Sunday
Bangladesh and India urged to cooperate on Meghna River basin
Speakers at a dialogue have called on Bangladesh and India to boost cooperation in protecting and promoting the ecosystem services of the Meghna River basin for the benefit of 50 million people living in the region shared by the two countries.
The two neighbours should work together to the make the basin as one the most vibrant regions of South Asia, Planning Minister Abdul Mannan said.
"There is no alternative to cooperation and working together," he said while addressing the first ever knowledge forum on the Meghna River basin, the minister said, according to a release from International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) on Saturday.
It is estimated that more than 50 million people in Bangladesh and India depend on the ecosystem services provided by the basin, including indigenous forest dependent communities such as the Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia; and the fishermen and farmers depending on the extensive wetlands (Haors) of Sylhet region in Bangladesh.
R. R. Sambharia, representing India’s Ministry of Jal Shakti and Senior Joint Commissioner, Ground Water and Flood Management, advised the IUCN to share the result of the forum with the Joint River Commission (JRC) of Bangladesh and India, and its dissemination to the relevant government departments at the state level.
To maintain the momentum created through the Meghna Knowledge Forum (MKF) 2021 and to attract international donor agencies to the Meghna River basin, IUCN will disseminate the forum outcomes at the bilateral and global platforms, such as IUCN World Conservation Congress in Marseille France planned in September 2021.
Read: Integrated policy approach needed for management of Barak Meghna River Basin
Indian Cabinet approves MoU with Bangladesh
The Indian Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its ex post facto approval to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Bangladesh on the establishment of a framework of cooperation in the area of trade remedial measures.
The MoU seeks to foster better cooperation between the relevant authorities of both the countries so as to discourage unfair trade practices and promote rule based bilateral trading between the two countries, said the Press Information Bureau of India on Tuesday.
Also Read: Bangladesh, India partners in development: Riva
Director General of Trade Remedies, Republic of India and the Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission signed the MoU on March 27.
The primary objective of the MoU is to promote cooperation between the two countries in the area of Trade Remedies, covering the broad activities related to exchange of information, undertaking capacity building activities and activities in accordance with various provisions of World Trade Organization in the area of anti-dumping, countervailing and safeguard measures in bilateral trade between India and Bangladesh.
Also Read: Bangladesh, India need to work together: Jeffrey Sachs
Modi thanks Momen for "excellent arrangements" during his recent visit
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has thanked Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen for the "excellent arrangements" made during his recent State Visit to Bangladesh.
Prime Minister Modi also congratulated the Bangladesh government for flawless arrangement of the spectacular celebrations on March 26 to mark 50 years of Bangladesh's Independence as well as the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Also Read: Modi visits Tungipara; pays homage to Bangabandhu
"I write to convey my thanks for the excellent arrangements made during my recent State Visit to Bangladesh. It was a pleasure to exchange thoughts with you during the visit," Modi said in his recent letter to Dr Momen.
Also Read: Bangladesh, India for progress of whole world: Modi
During the visit, Bangladesh and India agreed to accelerate the momentum that exists between the two countries with an eye on next 50 years of cooperation in diversified areas.
The two countries also laid emphasis on having enhanced connectivity, not just between Bangladesh and India but beyond the two countries to ensure broader economic benefits.
50 Years of Friendship: Bangladesh Mission, ICCR jointly host cultural prog in Delhi
Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) have organised a dance performance marking the Mujib Borsho and celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and India.
Bangladesh High Commission and ICCR jointly organised the cultural programme at the Sushma Swaraj Bhavan auditorium on Saturday evening.
High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India Muhammad Imran and Director General of ICCR Dinesh K Patnaik spoke on a pleasant cultural evening.
The High Commissioner said that in the last 50 years, Bangladesh-India relations have always shown utmost sincerity of the question of friendship.
Also read: Bangladesh reached unique height in last 50 years: Indian Minister
"Our two countries have historical and cultural ties. The people of Bangladesh are forever indebted to the government of India as well as of the people of the country for their role in the great freedom fight," he said.
The envoy said on the golden jubilee of independence, Bangladesh has been graduated to the list of developing countries under the visionary leadership of our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Now a days the development of Bangladesh is appreciated all over the world, he said.
He said the per capita income and purchasing power of the people of Bangladesh has increased a lot. Many Bangladeshis come to visit India, they shop here and many students come to study.
ICCR Director General Dinesh K Patnaik said that at 50 years of Independence of Bangladesh, India is remembering the great architect of Bangladesh's Independence Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with deep gratitude.
He also lauded the sincere roll of the people of two countries in strengthening the India-Bangladesh Friendship.
The cultural ties between the two countries are also part of our heritage.
Also read: Bangladeshi boy wins global art contest by ICCR
He said in the last 50 years, it has been proved that the friendship between the two countries will continue to grow stronger.
The cultural programme was on the theme of the great independence of Bangladesh, the culture and the beautiful nature of Bangladesh and heroic struggle of father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by Shristi Cultural organization.
Also read: India will always stand by Bangladesh: Modi
Bangabandhu's vision lights Dhaka-Delhi friendship: Modi
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is set to be the star attraction even among the strong field of regional leaders attending 10 days of celebration in Dhaka has said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's vision ‘continues to light’ the Bangladesh-India friendship.
Doraiswami for infrastructure dev to boost Bangladesh-India trade
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami on Tuesday said Bangladesh can export edible oil to India with at 20 percent value addition to the product.