B-NESI Proposal For Two Day Conclave (March 27, 2016)

10, 2013
Bangladesh and North-Eastern States

of India (B-NESI)
Draft of the Proposed Two Day Economic

and Commercial Conclave
March 27, 2016

Executive Summary
Bangladesh and the North-Eastern States of India (NESI) have long shared the common objective of fostering
closer economic integration within the South Asia region. Geographic proximity, resource complementarity and
favorable economic opportunities present enormous potential for enhanced economic cooperation and trade
relations between Bangladesh and NESI. From 2004-05 to 2008-09, there has been sevenfold growth in export
from Bangladesh to NESI while the import grew 50%. Over the last half decade, trade between Bangladesh and
NESI has been expanding exponentially with simultaneous progression of bilateral and regional cooperation, as
depicted by the historic signing of the Land Boundary Agreement and the sub regional BBIN Motor Vehicle
Agreement. Transit & connectivity with the NESI will not only connect the region, but also link Bangladesh as
a key node of a potentially vibrant trans-Asian commercial network. A bilateral trade agreement could create
the scope for resolving some of these critical issues while removing some vexing tariff and non-tariff barriers
To explore the potential economic cooperation in this sub-region, the Institute for Policy, Advocacy, and
Governance (IPAG), in cooperation with the ADB proposes to organize a two-day economic and commercial
conclave on “Bangladesh and North-Eastern States of India (B-NESI): Two Day Economic and Commercial
Conclave”. The key objective of this conclave is to provide a non-partisan platform to initiate and support
continued dialogue and interaction among key stakeholders of this sub-region for achieving win-win solutions
through enhanced economic cooperation and regional trade between B-NESI.
IPAG is an independent, not-for-profit, non-partisan think tank. Since its inception in 2009, IPAG has
successfully undertaken projects supported by Prime Minister’s Office (Government of Bangladesh), Board of
Investment, International Finance Corporation, etc. Apart from major projects at home, IPAG has also forged
collaboration with partnering institutes from four countries in South Asia involving regional cooperation and
integration.
IPAG proposes to partner with RIS which is one of the most reputed think tanks in India under the Ministry of
External Affairs. RIS specializes in policy research and dialogues with different stakeholders on international
economic and development cooperation issues. RIS would bring significant value in the conclave as a
“Knowledge Partner” as they have done noteworthy research and advocacy on bolstering bilateral relations
between India and Bangladesh, particularly with the Northeastern States of India.
IPAG will pool its local and regional network and utilize the expertise to hold a successful conclave and follow
it up with periodic programs. Selected representatives from four key stakeholder groups will attend as panelists
while invited guests will join open floor discussions to make the conclave interactive, participative, and
representative of the key stakeholders. While IPAG will be responsible for the overall management and
organization of the event, counterpart organizations in India, with whom IPAG has strong working relations can
provide knowledge and administrative once the conclave is brought to implementation. Partnerships with media
agencies will be forged to reach out to the wider citizenry with the key takeaways of the event.
i
List of Acronyms
ADB Asian Development Bank
B-NESI Bangladesh and North-Eastern States of India
BSCCL Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Limited
BSNL Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited
DCCI Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry
ERD Economic Relations Division
FINER Federation of Industries & Commerce of North Eastern Region
GoB Government of Bangladesh
GoI Government of India
GSDP Gross State Domestic Product
ILD International Long Distance
IPAG The Institute for Policy, Advocacy, and Governance
JC Joint Communiqué
LBA Land Boundary Agreement
MCIC Mizoram Chamber of Industries and Commerce
MMSCMD Million Metric Standard Cubic Meter per Day
MoU Memorandum of Understanding
MW Megawatt
NEIIPP North East Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy 2007
NESI North-Eastern States of India
PGCIL Power Grid Corporation of India Limited
RIS Research and Information System for Developing Countries
RMG Ready-made garments
SAARC South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation
SASEC South Asia Sub regional Economic Cooperation
ii
Contents
List of Acronyms..................................................................................................................................ii
Chapter 1: Background........................................................................................................................1
1.1. Potential Areas of Cooperation................................................................................................3
1.2. Progress of Latest Initiatives at Government Level.................................................................6
1.3. Objectives of the Conclave......................................................................................................7
1.4. Scope of the Conclave.............................................................................................................7
Chapter 2: Relevance of the Conclave.................................................................................................8
Chapter 3: The Platform & Stakeholders...........................................................................................8
Chapter 4: Proposed Participant Groups...........................................................................................9
Chapter 5: Proposed Partners...........................................................................................................11
Chapter 6: Proposed Roles and Responsibilities of Partner Organizations...................................14
Chapter 7: Expected Outcome...........................................................................................................15
Chapter 8: Continuity........................................................................................................................16
Chapter 9: Draft Agenda for the Proposed Two Day Conclave......................................................17
Appendices..........................................................................................................................................25
Appendix I: Key Initiatives of Cooperation with NESI under 2010 Joint Communiqué (JC)...............25
Proposed Two Day Economic and Commercial Conclave
Bangladesh and North-Eastern States of India (B-NESI)
Chapter 1: Background
Bangladesh and India have a long historical relationship as good neighbors since independence. The two
countries share 4,095 km border. According to Bangladesh Bank and Bangladesh Export Promotion
Bureau, India’s exports to Bangladesh in 2015-16 (July-June) were US$ 5816.90 million and the imports
from Bangladesh during the same period were US$ 527.16 million. India’s exports to Bangladesh in the
H1 of 2015-16 (July-December 2015) are US$ 2684.10 million and the imports from Bangladesh during
the same period were US$ 321.09 million. Over the last five years (since FY 2010-15), total trade
between the two countries have risen by 24.3%.
Geography plays a crucial role in shaping the nature and level of economic transaction between these two
close neighbors. India surrounds Bangladesh from three sides. The North-Eastern States of India (NESI)
have a large share in this geographical adjacency, with four out of the seven sharing border with
Bangladesh: Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura.
The mainland India is connected with the North-Eastern states through the narrow Siliguri Corridor,
otherwise known as the Chicken’s Neck. The seven North-Eastern states have remarkable diversity in
their heritage, and yet geographical proximity and parallel economic conditions bind their fates together.
The landlocked states have suboptimal land-based trade with the rest of India due to connectivity gap.
Despite immense geographical and economic scope, their trade with Bangladesh and other neighbors also
remain poor. Infrastructure and physical capital remain underdeveloped in the sub-region and the
populations in most of the states are predominantly rural with share of industrial sector in the GSDP
stagnant. In fact, central transfer constitutes a large part of the GSDP of these states, underscoring their
underdeveloped economy.
Apart from geographical contiguity, NESI and Bangladesh exhibit complementary economic
characteristics as well. Before 1947, the erstwhile East Bengal (now Bangladesh) economy was closely
aligned with economic activities in Assam, Tripura and other areas that now constitute NESI through
trade and infrastructural connectivity. The tie was severed with partition. Nonetheless, Bangladesh and
the North-Eastern states of India constitute together a veritable economic sub-region, whose
developmental synergies continue to remain largely untapped.
With substantial natural resources and investment potential, the NESI need ties with the rest of India for
their own benefit as well as for India as a whole. One of the important elements to explore this potential
to the advantage of all the three constituents – Bangladesh, NESI, and rest of India is to find ways and
means that would make transit-based connectivity through Bangladesh a viable and economically
1
attractive to all the three constituents. This may also open up horizons for both Bangladesh and India to
reach out to the vibrant ASEAN economies, including Myanmar which is opening up, developing trade
and economic policies and being recognized as an important economic hub for this region. The
landlocked countries can enhance their trade logistics with better access to the geographically proximate
Chittagong port. The benefits from such access for the Indian economy will be vast.
Similarly, Bangladesh will benefit greatly from higher economic cooperation in this sub-region. The
NESI can be an outlet for foreign direct investment for Bangladeshi firms, which will in turn create jobs
and income for the NESI labor force and positively transform the structures of their economy. With
considerable energy generation potential, the NESI sub-region can supply power to Bangladesh. Thus
through mutual cooperation and support, a win-win situation can emerge for all the stakeholders.
Export from Bangladesh to NESI grew around sevenfold from USD 4.9 million in 2004-05 to USD 34.2
million in 2008-09 whereas imports from the region grew 1.5 times from USD 50.1 million to USD 73.6
million. Export to NESI was 11.03% of total export to India as a whole while import from NESI was only
3.07% of total imports from India.
The rapid growth in the export and import figures demonstrates the vast untapped opportunity that the
Bangladesh and NESI are yet to exploit to their fullest advantage.
An Example of Benefits Resulting from Cross Border Economic Cooperation
The Case of Bordering Adjacent States of the United States and Mexico:
_______________________________________________________________________________
Everyday goods worth more than $1 billion in goods trade cross the U.S.-Mexico border. In 2011,
U.S.-Mexico good and service trade was as high as $500 billion which was indeed a benchmark for
other countries with potentials for cross-border trade. Mexico is either the primary or secondary export
market for 22 US states ranging from those as close to the border as Arizona, California and Texas and
as far away as from the border as New Hampshire, Michigan and Ohio. Due to its proximity, Arizona
enjoys huge positive economic impact. $11.9 billion in revenue and 111,216 jobs in Arizona rely on
trade with Mexico. Besides, Mexican tourists comprise 70 percent of international overnight visitors. A
number of studies have found that cross-border trade facilitation efforts have brought economic and
2
social benefits to the Mexican economy as a whole, but that the benefits have accrued more to the
states that are geographically proximate across border.
1.1. Potential Areas of Cooperation
There are a number of areas of cooperation of which a few key areas are briefly discussed below:
Trade and Investment: Bangladesh mainly exports RMG, processed food, cement, fishes, ceramic tiles,
hosiery, etc. to NESI and imports agricultural products, cotton, fruits and food items. NESI received only
0.03 % of total FDI of India during 2013-2016. Due to geographic proximity and resource
complementarity, Bangladeshi entrepreneurs and firms have been seeking investment opportunities in the
North-East region, e.g. PRAN Group targeted investment of Rs. 200 crore (BDT 234 crore) in Tripura 1.
Bangladeshi investors can tap into the highly literate labor market of NESI, with most states having
literacy rate of over 79%.
Energy: With an estimated hydropower potential of 57,000 MW, Arunachal Pradesh seeks PPP
investment of Bangladeshi power companies for energy generation. Tripura is rich in natural gas, with
established gas reserve of 30.65 billion cubic meters out of which production potential is only about 2.03
MMSCMD, as per 2013 data.
Besides, the Indian Government has created appropriate incentives for attracting investment in power
generation in the northeastern region. North East Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy 2007
includes incentives for investment in power generation.
The estimated hydropower potential of Bhutan is 30,000 MW2 and that of Nepal is 40,000 MW3. Thus
connectivity of the sub-region with NESI through Bangladesh can be highly beneficial for all parties
involved.
1
First Bangladeshi food processing unit in India, online article, published June 4, 2015, http://www.business-
standard.com/article/news-ians/first-bangladeshi-food-processing-unit-in-india-115060400454_1.html
2
Hydropower in Bhutan - Time for a Rethink? web blog, published August 1, 2015,
http://www.internationalrivers.org/blogs/328-5
3
Hydropower in Nepal, web content, http://www.ippan.org.np/HPinNepal.html
3
Opening a new chapter in bilateral relations, India on March 23, 2016 will supply 100 megawatt of
electricity in return for 10 Gigabits per second Internet bandwidth, a move that Prime Minister Narendra
Modi described as historic.4
As much as 100 MW of power will be supplied to Bangladesh from Tripura. Power Grid Corporation of
India Ltd has erected 400 KV d/c line from Suryamaninagar (Agartala) to the Indian border while its
Bangladeshi counterpart, Power Grid Corporation of Bangladesh Ltd has laid a line from there to
Comilla.
This initiative was a follow-up of the allotted supply of 100 MW power from Tripura is in line with the
decision taken at the 7th Joint Working Group meeting on Power in April in response to Bangladesh’s
goodwill gesture of allowing transport of over-oversized cargo during the construction of the Palatana
power plant in Tripura in 2011. The decision to provide Bangladesh an additional 100 MW of power
supply from Tripura was taken during the 7th Joint Steering Committee meeting on Power held in Dhaka
in 2014.
Simultaneously, a new gateway to give broadband connectivity to North-East states via Bangladesh was
also opened.
India’s state-run Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) erected 400 KV d/c line from
Agartala’s Suryamaninagar to the Indian border while Power grid Corporation of Bangladesh Ltd built
the transmission line from the border point to Comilla.
On the other hand, the bandwidth connection came as Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and
Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Limited (BSCCL) signed an agreement for leasing of
international bandwidth for Internet at Akhaura during Modi’s 2015 Dhaka visit, officials said.
BSCCL has laid the optical fiber cable for the 30 km distance from Brahmanbaria to Akhaura, which
adjoins Agartala, while BSNL has set up International Long Distance (ILD) gateway at Agartala along
with associated equipment.
Transit: From the Indian perspective, transit is a necessary condition for development and growth of
NESI. The partition has cut off important links in connectivity between NESI and rest of India. Before
4
India will export 100MW power, import 10 GBPS internet from Bangladesh, Online News,
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/indo-bangla-ties-exporting-100mw-power-importing-10-gbps-
internet/story-dOTl89k3K11WM7Qi4qdcxJ.html ,
India exports power to Bangladesh, gets Internet bandwidth, Online News,
http://www.livemint.com/Politics/pJwY0Us7fWf4BR7U2QODeM/India-exports-power-to-Bangladesh-gets-
Internet-bandwidth.html
4
1947, Kolkata to Agartala journey was less than 740 km; in absence of transit, it has become 1,880 km.
As the NESI is landlocked, transit can give them access to the rest of India, sea, and other countries.
Chittagong port is geographically far more proximate to NESI members like Tripura than ports of West
Bengal (Pashchimbanga) or other states of India.
Bangladesh also stands to gain from transit to a considerable extent. In the first five years of transit,
Bangladesh can earn USD 44 million annually, then it can go up and by the 16th year, the annual amount
can be as high as USD 1 billion. Apart from earning transit fees, Bangladesh can also can consider the
NESI as the gateway to China and East Asia. On the contrary, NESI can find Bangladesh as an alternative
route for the Far East.
On his first trip to Dhaka on June 6-7, 2015, the two prime ministers of Bangladesh and India, signed 22
agreements on bilateral trades. The two sides agreed adjoin Dhaka-Shillong-Guwahati Bus Service and
agreement on Kolkata-Dhaka-Agartala Bus Service and its Protocol, including memorandum of
Understanding on Use of Chittagong and Mongla Ports.5
Water: With important rivers of Bangladesh such as Brahmaputra and Meghna originating from NESI,
there are important economic opportunities for both the countries. Bangladesh and NESI can generate
hydro-power. Rivers can be important for water transport. In 2015, Bangladesh and India renewed bilateral
trade agreement and a protocol on inland water transit and trade. Other MoUs covered areas like blue economy
and maritime cooperation in the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean and Coastal Shipping between
Bangladesh and India. Another relevant protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade was also renewed. In the
same line, another MoU regarding joint coast guards was also signed 6
Tourism: Tourism is a positive side-effect as well as one of the major areas of enhanced economic
cooperation. In 2014, Bangladesh accounted for 12.27% of Foreign Tourist Arrival’s (FTA) in India,
which is the second largest just followed by the United States 7. During the period, none of the NESI states
scored in the top 10 domestic and foreign tourist visits from Bangladesh. While Bangladeshi tourists
5
Modi announces $2-bn credit to Bangladesh, Web Content,
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/prime-minister-narendra-modis-twoday-bangladesh-
visit/article7289488.ece
6
http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2015/06/06/list-of-bangladesh-india-bilateral-deals-signed-during-modis-
dhaka-visit
7
Bureau of Immigration, Govt. of India,
http://www.tourism.nic.in/writereaddata/CMSPagePicture/file/marketresearch/statisticalsurveys/India
%20Tourism%20Statistics%20at%20a%20Glance%202014New.pdf
5
travel to Southeast and East Asia for vacation and business trips, with a more liberal tourism/visa regime,
with its wonderful landscape, natural beauty, heritage, and colorful cultural diversity - the untapped
opportunity can benefit both of the regions. Other than going for distant states, Bangladeshi can afford
these nearer states and The NESI states too can act as new fundraisers of Indian economy. With
cooperation and joint planning in tourism sector, this sub-region can become a tourism hub for external
visitors with Buddhist relics, natural beauty, etc. as key attractions.
1.2. Progress of Latest Initiatives at Government Level
The historic visit of Prime Minister Narenda Modi to Bangladesh on June 06, 2015 landed in the signing
of 22 agreements between the two nations including the Land Boundary Agreement, Agreement on use of
Chittagong and Mongla ports, Agreement on Dhaka-Shillong-Guwahati and Kolkata-Dhaka-Agartala bus
services (the latter of which connect Bangladesh and one of the states of NESI) and also on blue economy
and maritime cooperation. Cultural and academic cooperation along with joint research programs are also
components of the different agreements signed. Besides, the visit has boosted the friendship and
cooperation in the diplomatic and economic relations existing between the two countries. In 2014, Indian
Minister for External Affairs, Ms. Sushma Swaraj visited Dhaka where she assured Bangladesh that all
pending issues (mainly, Teesta river water sharing treaty; ratification of Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) and
killing of Bangladeshis on the border) will be resolved through discussions. The following visit of Modi was a
testament to her assurance, making significant progress on the Land Boundary Agreement and its enforcement.
Going back to 2010, the visit of Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina to India bilateral
relationship to a new level with implications for the NESI. During the visit, a Joint Communiqué was
issued stipulating a very clear set of objectives to put the bilateral relationship in a new framework of sub-
regional cooperation. The Joint Communiqué identifies the potential areas of cooperation with India.
Cooperation with NESI is given special importance in the Communiqué. Although a high-powered
Regional/Sub-regional cooperation committee previously worked on identifying and suggesting areas of
cooperation with the countries in the sub-continent, the announcement of Joint Communiqué provided a
new momentum to the diplomatic collaboration. The Prime Minister’s Office of Bangladesh assigned
concerned ministries/organizations for implementation of the activities mentioned in the Communiqué. In
the Appendix I, progress of some of the key initiatives is mentioned.
1.3. Objectives of the Conclave
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The broad objective of the two day conclave will be to catalyze and expedite the agenda of economic
cooperation and trade relations between Bangladesh and North-Eastern States of India.
The specific objectives of the event are to:
- Explore the opportunities for economic cooperation.

- Identify and analyze the tariff and nontariff barrier and suggest measures to remove the same.
- Assess the present status of GoB’s initiatives undertaken as part of bilateral consensus between
GoB and GoI.
- Develop a working network among the leading policy makers, business community, intellectuals,
civil society, media, and academic experts.
- Formulate strategy on future steps for enhanced economic cooperation and trade relations.
1.4. Scope of the Conclave
The following scope will be followed to maintain focus the proceedings of the conclave so that entire
effort is directed towards attainment of specific objectives:
 The conclave will limit itself chiefly to economic issues. Political, cultural, and other issues may
come only due to indirect relevance.
 The conclave will not focus on the entire gamut of Bangladesh-India trade and economic
cooperation, although indirect and necessary references can come.
Chapter 2: Relevance of the Conclave
Although a regional cooperation body was established in the region 30 years ago in the form of the
SAARC, the level of integration in South Asia still remains sub-optimal 8. South Asia is the least
8
Binding Constraints to Regional Cooperation and Integration in South Asia, web content,
http://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/rcs-south-asia-2011-2015-oth-03.pdf
7
integrated region in the world. Intraregional trade about 5% in South Asia whereas it is more than 20% in
East Asia. The cost of trading across border in South Asia is the highest in the world. Despite the above
constraints, South Asia has been experiencing rapid growth in GDP since 1980 which has created a
momentum for regional integration. The Asian Development Bank has taken numerous initiatives
promoting connectivity in the South Asia region, especially in the SASEC initiative. The Bangladesh-
Bhutan-India-Nepal sub regional initiative has been key to create a dynamic sub-region that can pave the
way for South Asian cooperation.
The recent positive developments in bilateral relationship between some South Asian Countries –
Bangladesh and India in particular which gained momentum through the visit of Prime Minister of India
to Bangladesh in 2015 and the visit of Prime Minister of Bangladesh to India in 2010 – indicate a
brighter future in South Asian Regional Cooperation. As there is a great opportunity to utilize economic
complementarities and geographic proximity, cooperation between Bangladesh and NESI could be the
potential bilateral area of focus where proper initiatives can significantly contribute to build higher South
Asian cooperation. Between Bangladesh and NESI, priority areas of cooperation include trade
facilitation, cross border investment, transit and connectivity, energy and hydropower. The conclave is
expected to provide interactive forum for developing and strengthening cooperation between Bangladesh
and NESI. This will also give an opportunity to develop a broader framework to address the challenges in
achieving higher bilateral trade and economic cooperation.
Chapter 3: The Platform & Stakeholders
The Conclave will involve the following tools:

- Audio-Visual documentary and written reports summarizing key aspects of Bangladesh, the
NESI and the areas of potential economic cooperation. The materials will be prepared at least two
weeks before the conclave. The written reports will be circulated among the participants to give
them a brief overview of the issues involved so that discussion is focused and covers all the
important agenda.
- Key note speech by key policy makers, experts, and relevant stakeholders. The speeches will
serve as the basis for subsequent panel discussion.
- Panel discussion will involve the whole gamut of the four stakeholder groups identified in
Chapter 4.
8
- Open floor discussion and Q & A will allow a wider group to voice their concerns and interact
with the speakers and panelists.
- Networking and dinner sessions will allow informal interactions among the participants that
will facilitate formation of interpersonal relationships in the long run.
- Follow up reports will provide summarized rendition of the key outcomes and takeaways of the
exercise. The reports will be circulated among the participants.
Chapter 4: Proposed Participant Groups
The following stakeholders are proposed for participation in the two day conclave:
Stakeholder Group Role in the Conclave
Policymakers  Ministers of relevant ministries. The policy makers are the ultimate decision
makers and their role will be to discuss key
 Secretaries, additional and joint
issues involved, e.g. the tariff and non-tariff
secretaries of relevant
barriers, economic opportunities, etc. Through
ministries.
interaction with other stakeholders, they will
 Members of Parliamentary identify the potentials and make
Standing Committees for recommendations to overcome the challenges.
Ministry of Commerce and The conclave platform will facilitate
Ministry of Industries. development of networks creating the basis

for future economic cooperation at both
 Members of Opposition Parties. formal and institutional level.
Experts  Leading Economists & Trade The experts can provide intellectual inputs
Experts from the region. into discussions and deliberations. They will
provide a broad objective and comparative
 International experts
and longitudinal perspective on the economic
scenario.
Private Sector  Members from key chamber The private sector is expected to gain most
Representative bodies from any positive intervention which will
s result in greater synergy between the business
9
communities and increased regional

cooperation from the conclave. Hence, the
importance of their input on how the
governments can facilitate trade, transit, and
connectivity between Bangladesh and NESI
can hardly be overemphasized.
Representative  Members from key think tanks, Civil society can act as an active catalyst in
s from the NGOs, research organizations, promoting greater regional cooperation and at
Media and etc. the same time can be a major advocate for
Civil Societies promoting B-NESI trade relations. Media’s
role is essential in the dissemination of the
proceedings and key resolutions to the citizens
so that greater ownership of the proposed
conclave can be initiated. The key issues
discussed, recommendations made, and plan
of action formulated during the conclave will
further strengthen the ongoing people to
people contact towards the pursuance of the
common goal of greater regional economic
cooperation and trade.
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Chapter 5: Proposed Partners
IPAG will forge partnerships with organizations of three different types from each of the seven states so
that the conclave and follow-up program can reach out to the larger group of stakeholders of the seven
states. The focal group organizations are named in the table below:
Proposed Focal Points from the NESI Region
Private Sector Body Think Tank/University Media
Arunachal Arunachal Pradesh Rajiv Gandhi University Arunachal Front

Chamber of Commerce
and Industry - Dr. S. K. Nayak, Dean, - Pradeep Kumar,
Faculty of Social Sciences, Editor
- Techi Lala, President Rajiv Gandhi University
Assam Assam Chamber of Assam University The Assam Tribune

Commerce
- Professor NB Dey, Dean, - Prafulla Govinda
- Rupam Goswami, Mahatma Gandhi School of Baruah, Editor-in-Chief
Chairman Economics & Commerce
Manipur Manipur Chamber of Manipur University The Sangai Express

Commerce and Industries
- Professsor Amar Yumnam, - Irungbam Prabin, Sub
- Dr Kh Palin Singh, Vice Prof of Development Editor
President Economics and Institutional
Economics, School of Social
Sciences
Meghalaya Meghalaya Chamber of Mahatma Gandhi University The Shillong Times
Commerce & Industry
- Dr. K. Pochanna, Registrar, - Mrs. Patricia
- Sri Banwari Lal Bajaj, (Ex-Professor of Economics, Mukhim, Editor
Secretary Osmania University)
Mizoram Mizoram Chamber of Mizoram University Mizo News
Industries and Commerce
- Prof. A.K. Agarwal, Head. - Lily PC, Editor
- K Lalhmingthanga, Department of Economics.
President - LMS Sungte,
Managing Editor
Nagaland Dimapur Chamber of Nagaland University Nagaland Post

Commerce and Industry
- Vice Chancellor: B. K. - Editor: Geoffrey
- Hokivi Chishi, President Konwar Yaden
11
Tripura Tripura Chamber of Tripura University Tripura Times

Commerce
- Dr. Jahar Deb Barma, Head - Arindam Lodh,
- ML Deb Nath, Secretary, of Economics Department, Executive Editor
Tripura Chamber of Tripura University
Commerce
Media partners will play a key role in disseminating the findings and outcomes to the broader audience.
The intention is to develop popular support for greater economic interactivity between Bangladesh and
NESI through creating greater awareness on the positive economic return that trade, transit, and
connectivity can bring to the region. The potential media partners are mentioned below:
Media Partners from Bangladesh Key Personnel
The Daily Star  Mahfuz Anam, Editor

 Inam Ahmed, Deputy Editor
 Arun Devnath, Business Editor
The Daily Prothom Alo  Matiur Rahman, Editor

 Shawkat Hossain Masum, Business Editor
ATN Bangla  Munni Saha, Head of News
NTV  Zahirul Alam, Chief News Editor
National Media Partners from India Key Personnel
Times of India  Jaideep Bose, Executive Editor
Zee News  Suhdir Chaudhury, Head
 Media Representatives from the seven states of NESI have been mentioned in the Focal Points from
the NESI Region
The engagement of the media organizations will be in the following manner:
12
The Bangladeshi media and their counterparts from each member of NESI will tie up in a collaborative
partnership. The collaboration will have the following goals:
- Create awareness among stakeholders about the opportunities for economic cooperation in the B-
NESI sub-region.
- Highlight the tariff and nontariff barriers to influence policy reform in favor of freer and fairer
trade in the region.
- Publicize the activities regarding the B-NESI economic and commercial conclave.
As part of this collaborative arrangement, articles will be published in each of the media publications
(original or translated) on relevant topic. Reporters from Bangladeshi media outlets will carry out
assignments on economic & commercial issues in collaboration with partner organizations in NESI.
Similarly, NESI reporters would carry out investigative reporting in Bangladesh. The findings will help
policy makers to identify key intervention areas and create awareness among stakeholders.
Similarly, the chamber bodies will avail the opportunity to forge partnership for jointly pressing on their
respective governments to expedite the process of removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers. Interactions
will enable them to explore opportunities for cross-border trade, investment, and connectivity.
13
Chapter 6: Proposed Roles and Responsibilities of Partner Organizations
For the successful organization of the proposed conclave, IPAG will establish partnership with a number
of relevant organizations to successfully implement the project. The roles and responsibilities will be
identified and shared according to respective competencies. Following diagram provides an outline of the
roles of the three important parties related to the conclave.
Research and Information

IPAG System for Developing
Countries (RIS), India
 Develop project plan; estimate budge; layout the  Facilitate IPAG’s interaction &
schedule of activities; finalize institutional coordination with stakeholders/
participants from India.
collaboration and agreements.
 Extend necessary support for

 Identify partnering organizations; initiate participation of key Indian
invitees/panelists.
necessary communication and coordination; pool
intellectual and technical resources for the  Technical and research Support.
conclave; build regional knowledge hub and
organizational networks.
 Finalize participant list; dispatch invitations;

provide travel, accommodation & logistical
support to the participants.
 Organize & manage the overall event.
 Integrate the media & civil society. The Asian Development Bank
(ADB)/ World Bank
 Follow-up activities/engagements.
14
 Facilitate institutional and

knowledge partnership

 Provide potential sponsorship
 Stretch the program to the

international level
Chapter 7: Expected Outcome
The conference is expected to come up with the following outcomes and impact:
Platform Conclave Initiative Output Impact
Three priority
 Draft Program Provide a
areas of of Action for platform for
economic going forward continued
cooperation with economic
dialogue
cooperation
between B-
Identification of NESI; periodic
Two Day Conclave  Network
main tariff and development review will lead
non-tariff among key to better
barriers stakeholders evaluation of
Organizer:
progress;
 Higher level of
IPAG in collaboration with efficient
Action points awareness
partnering organizations. identification
for policy among citizens,
consumers, and removal of
makers
politicians, the barriers;
business tangible
Knowledge Partner:
people on the measures to
15 need and
RIS boost
benefit of
economic
Sponsor: economic
cooperation cooperation &
Joint Advocacy
Campaign
Platform
16
Chapter 8: Continuity
To achieve long-term and far-reaching impact, the platform would seek sustained commitment from key
stakeholders from both sides of the border. To ensure continuity in the dialogue and interactions, two key
modes will be to hold annual conclave in the form of a forum and also to operate sector-specific working
groups that would hold workshops periodically. The proposed follow-up actions are mentioned below:
 Annual Conclaves will be organized each year. The objective of the annual conclaves is to bring the
key stakeholders together to review progress in achieving the key action points and recommendations
formulated in earlier conclaves and to review overall trade & economic cooperation. The venue of
annual conclaves will be rotated, i.e. each year Dhaka (or any other major city like Chittagong) and
an alternate capital of NESI will host the event.
 Sector wise Workshop will be held periodically. This will involve sector specific working groups
comprised of relevant experts coming from IPAG, RIS and the focal points from NESI. The working
groups will coordinate activities with focus on particular sectors. The activities will involve research,
awareness building and advocacy, capacity building etc. The workshop will be held based on need
but at least two workshops each year for each working groups are expected to be held.
17
Chapter 9: Draft Agenda for the Proposed Two Day Conclave
The conclave will seek to elicit resolutions for achieving concrete progress in potential areas of
cooperation. In addition to the inaugural, it will be divided in six topical sessions which are as follows:
A. Areas of Economic Cooperation between Bangladesh & NESI
The session would allow stakeholders to identify key areas for economic cooperation. Recent years have
witnessed a shift in regional economic cooperation strategy from multilateral to bilateral cooperation due
to slow progress in regional multilateral initiatives. As part of that trend, bilateral cooperation initiatives
in South Asian countries, especially between Bangladesh and India, are gaining momentum. In fact, ‘for
India, closer economic cooperation with Bangladesh can be an important stepping-stone to reduce the
9
economic isolation of its northeastern states. Economic cooperation between Bangladesh and NESI
would enable both sides to integrate more efficiently with the rest of the world and take fuller advantage
of global flows of investment, technology and trade opportunities. In this context, the conclave will
provide a platform and possibly the first ever forum to interact and exchange views among the
politicians, top policy makers and other stakeholders of the two countries for identifying their economic
interest in area of business, trade, energy, investment and connectivity.
B. Enhancing Trade and Removing Tariff and Non-Tariff Barriers
This session will focus on the issues that will facilitate trade liberalization, reduce tariff and remove non-
tariff barriers and cut trade costs by trade facilitation between Bangladesh and NESI. NESI has
population of about 45 million and market size of about USD 20 billion offering an attractive export
destination for Bangladesh resulting in increased trade and investment between them. For unlocking this
trade potential, trade volume has to be increased through better market access. Although Bangladesh and
NESI have close geographical proximity, the performance of trade in terms of trade volume between
them is very poor. A study recently showed that Bangladesh and India would both gain by opening up
their markets to each other. Indian investment in Bangladesh is very important for the latter to raise its
9
Unlocking the India - Bangladesh Trade : Emerging Potential and the way forward, Policy Research Working Paper
6155, The World Bank, web content, http://elibrary.worldbank.org/content/workingpaper/10.1596/1813-9450-
6155
18
exports. A bilateral Free Trade Agreement would lift Bangladesh exports to India by 182 percent and in
helping Bangladesh’s economy to grow, India would stimulate economic activity in its own eastern and
north-eastern states.
C. Energy and Natural Resources Cooperation between Bangladesh and NESI
The NESI region is rich in natural resources, especially water and forests, and there is a general
perception that it could potentially be one of the wealthy regions of India. There is significant potential in
the NESI for its renewable natural resources to generate benefits at the regional and local levels. In the
other hand, Bangladesh also has some non-renewable natural resources such as natural gas field and coal
mine in areas adjacent to the bordering states of NESI 10. In the regional context, Bangladesh and India
need to chalk out a clear cooperation framework to benefit from the complementary natural endowments
which could lead to an integrated management system of natural resources in both Bangladesh and NESI.
This framework would provide for projects of major benefits involving region-wide investment; it
includes regional investment in hardware such as infrastructure and soft investments such as coordinated
research and information-sharing. By such investments major benefits can be derived from hydropower;
joint venture power plant, inland water transport and joint water resource management. In this context,
the session will provide an opportunity to explore the areas of cooperation in energy and natural resources
and identify the key issues involved in setting up a collaborative regional framework.
D. Exploiting Competitive Advantages: Cross-Border Investments and Economic Zones
This session will concentrate on issues that account for trade deficit, the list of commodities having
comparative advantages in export from Bangladesh to NESI and vice versa. Revealed comparative
advantage would be taken into consideration to enhance the potential for bilateral trade in terms of trade
diversification and trade volume. During 1980-2004 more than 99.9 per cent of India’s imports consisted
of goods in which Bangladesh lacked relative comparative advantage 11. This implies that India has a fair
potential to meet import needs of Bangladesh. In this context, cross-border investment can effectively
reduce the imbalance in terms of comparative advantages. Export diversification and investment by
10
Strategy Report (2007), Development and Growth in Northeast India, The Natural Resources, Water and
Environmental Nexus, The World Bank, report, https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/7760
11
Prospects of Bilateral Trade between India and Bangladesh, web content, http://nmims.edu/wp-
content/uploads/2012/p3/SBM/Foreign%20Trade%20Review.pdf
19
Indian companies in Bangladesh to produce products and re-export those in the Indian market can help
Bangladesh boost its export volume in India. At the same time, Bangladeshi entrepreneurs can exploit
the opportunities offered by the resources and skills that NESI offers by taking up more investment
projects there.
E. Transit and Connectivity: Reaching a Win-Win Solution
While Bangladesh can link up with East and Southeast Asia only through NESI, the latter also needs
higher level of connectivity with the remaining parts of India. Better connectivity through transit is
important for reducing transaction cost of trading between Bangladesh and NESI. Bangladeshi exports to
India could be increased to nearly 300 percent if transaction cost can be reduced through improved
connectivity and transit. In the case of trade infrastructure, a 10 percent improvement in the quality of
trade and transport related infrastructure could lead to a 2.33 percent increase in bilateral trade 12. Thus
from the Indian perspective, transit is a necessary condition for development and overall growth of India
and the North-East in particular. Transit through the BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal) road
connectivity can open up horizons of opportunities for both Bangladesh and India.
12
Unlocking the India Bangladesh Trade: Emerging Potential and the way forward, Policy Research Working Paper
6155, The World Bank, research paper, http://elibrary.worldbank.org/content/workingpaper/10.1596/1813-9450-
6155
20
Day 01
09:00-09:30 Registration
INAUGURAL SESSION:
09:30- 09:35 Welcome Note: Prof. Syed Munir Khasru, Chairman, IPAG
09:35-09:40 Opening Remarks: Dr. Sachin Chaturvedi, Director General, RIS
09:40-09:50 Short Documentary on the Economic and Commercial Potential of Bangladesh and
North-Eastern States of India based on Audio-Visual Footages. (10 min)
Address by the Special Guests:

09:50-10:05
- Abul Maal A Muhith, Minister, Ministry of Finance, Government of Bangladesh
- Jitendra Singh, Minister, Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region,
Government of India
Address of the Chief Guest: Sheikh Hasina, Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh
10:05-10:20 [Proposed and if available]
Session I: Areas of Economic Cooperation between Bangladesh and North-Eastern States of India
10:20-10:25 Address by Special Guest: Tofail Ahmed, MP, Minister, Ministry of Commerce,
Government of Bangladesh
21
Key note Speech: Dr. Sachin Chaturvedi, Director General, RIS
10:25-10:35
Panel Discussion:
Moderator: Mohammad Mejbahuddin, Senior Secretary, Economic Relations Division
10:35-11:05 (ERD), Ministry of Finance, Government of Bangladesh
The Panelists (7 minutes each + Transition time):
- Abdul Matlub Ahmad, President, Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of

Commerce and Industry
- RS Joshi, Chairman, Federation of Industries & Commerce of North Eastern
Region (FINER)
- Mahbubur Rahman, President, International Chamber of Commerce Bangladesh
- Pradeep Kumar, Editor, Arunachal Front
Open Floor Discussion in Participation with Invited Selected Audience
11:05-11:30
11:30-12:00 Tea Break
Session II: Enhancing Trade and Removing Tariff and Non-Tariff Barriers
12:00-12:05 Address by Special Guest: Dr. Chandan Mitra, Chairman, Parliamentary Standing
Committee on Commerce, Parliament of India
Key Note Speech: Dr. Prabir De, Professor, Research and Information System for
Developing Countries (RIS), India
12:05-12:15
22
Panel Discussion:
Moderator: Professor Syed Munir Khasru, Chairman, IPAG
12:15-12:45 The Panelists (7 minutes each + Transition Time):
- Nagaraju Maddirala, Secretary & Director of Industries & Commerce,

Tripura, India
- Hossain Khaled, President, Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI)
- Dr. Kh Palin Singh, Vice President, Manipur Chamber of Commerce &
Industries
- M. Masudur Rahman, National Trade Expert, PM Group, CRES Visiting Fellow,
KIEP Korea
12:45-13:10
13:10-14:00 LUNCH BREAK
Session III: Transit and Connectivity: Reaching a Win-Win Solution
14:00-14:05 Address by Special Guest: Obaidul Quader, Minister of Road Transport and Bridges,
Keynote Speech: Rupak Bhattacharjee , Independent Political Analyst & Regional

14:05-14:15
Connectivity Expert for North East, India (Former Senior Research
Fellow, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies &
Institute for Conflict Management, New Delhi)
23
Panel Discussion:
14:15-14:45 Moderator: Hiroaki Yamaguchi, Director, Transport and Communications Division,

South
Asia Department (SARD), Asian Development Bank
- Ashok Madhob Roy, Acting Secretary, Ministry of Shipping, Government of

Bangladesh.
- ML Deb Nath, Secretary, Tripura Chamber of Commerce
- Professor NB Dey, Dean, Mahatma Gandhi School of Economics & Commerce,
Assam University, India
- Makshudul AM Mondal, Transport and Connectivity Expert, IPAG
Open Floor Discussion in Participation with Selected Audience
14:45-15:10
15:10-15:30 WRAP UP SESSION ON DAY’S PROCEEDINGS
15:30-16:00 Tea and Networking
18:30-19:30 Cultural Show
19:30-20:30 Dinner hosted by IPAG/RIS in Honor of the Participants
24
Day 02
09:00-09:30 Registration
Session I: MORNING SESSION: Exploiting Competitive Advantages: Cross-Border

Investments and Economic Zones
09:30-09:35 Address by Special Guest: Dr. Syed Abdus Samad, Executive Chairman, Board of
Investment, Bangladesh
Key Note Speech: Professor Syed Munir Khasru, Chairman, IPAG

09: 35- 09:45
Panel Discussion:
Moderator: Dilip Kr. Sarma, Chairman & Chief Functionary, North East Chamber of
09:45-10:15
Commerce & Industry (NECCI), India
- Dr. S.K. Mohanty, Professor, RIS

- Dr. Arif Dowla, Managing Director, ACI Limited, Bangladesh
- Hokivi Chishi, President, Dimapur Chamber of Commerce & Industry, India
- Mohammad Ali, President, India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and
Industry
10:15-10:40
10:40-11:10 Tea & Networking
Session II: Energy and Natural Resources Cooperation between Bangladesh and North-Eastern
States of India
25
11:10-11:20 Address by Special Guests:

- Nasrul Hamid, State Minister of Power, Energy & Mineral Resources,
- Piyush Goyal, Minister of State (IC) for Power, Coal, New & Renewable
Energy, Ministry of Power, Government of India
Key Note Speech: Dr. Mohammad Tamim, Professor & Head, Department of
Petroleum and Mineral Resources Engineering, BUET
11:20-11:30
Panel Discussion:
Moderator: Geoffrey Yaden, Editor, Nagaland Post

11:30-12.00
- Mohammad Hossain, Director General, Power Cell, Ministry of Power,

Bangladesh
- Shri R. Agrawal, Principal Secretary (Power), Govt. of Manipur
- Dr. Salim Mahmud, Member, Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission
- Dr Ram Upendra Das, Professor, RIS
12.00-12:25
12:25- 13:15 LUNCH BREAK
Session III CONCLUDING SESSION: Benefits of Consumers in Higher Economic Cooperation

between Bangladesh and North-Eastern States of India
13:15-13:20 Address by Special Guest: Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Key Note Speech: Dr. MA Taslim, Chairman, Dept. of Economics, University of
26
13:20-13:30 Dhaka
Panel Discussion:
13:25-13:55 Moderator: Dr. Sachin Chaturvedi, Director General, RIS
- Rupam Goswami, Chairman, Assam Chamber of Commerce

- Syed Nasim Manzur, President, Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and
Industry MCCI
- Prafulla Govinda Baruah, Editor-in-chief, The Assam Tribune, India
- Orpita Oysharja, Senior Research Associate, IPAG
Open Floor Discussion in Participation with Selected Audience
14:00-4:25
14:25- 14:45 WRAP UP AND PRESS CONFERENCE
16:30-17:00 Call on by Select Team to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh (Proposed)
19:00-20:30 Dinner hosted in honor of the Participants (Proposed)
** The above list of participants at the conclave is tentative and subject to further discussion with
partners and counterparts.
27
Appendices
Appendix I: Key Initiatives of Cooperation with NESI under 2010 Joint Communiqué (JC)
Progress of some initiatives based on the Joint Communiqué which puts emphasis on economic cooperation
with NESI (extracts from Joint Communiqué with latest status) is briefly highlighted below:
Para Points Discussed Implementing Latest Position/ Progress

from Organization
JC.
22. It was agreed that Ashuganj in i. National Board of Revenue, BD, issued
Bangladesh and Shilghat in India shall be circular to declare Ashuganj port as Port
declared ports of call. The IWTT of Call. Shilghat has also been declared
Protocol shall be amended through port of call by GoI.
exchange of letters. A joint team will
assess the improvement of infrastructure ii. Since 1972 there has been a transit
and the cost for one-time or longer term protocol through waterways between
transportation of ODCs (Over Ministry of Bangladesh and India. GoB and GoI
Dimensional Cargo) from Ashuganj. Shipping have agreed to renew Protocol on Inland
India will make the necessary investment. Water Trade and Transit (PIWT&T) for
Both Governments agreed to expedite further 2 years from 2013.
implementation. Contractors from both
countries shall be eligible for the work. (To coordinate iii. Following Joint Communiqué,
with Ministry of Bangladesh provided transportation
Communications facilities for carrying over dimensional
for Railway.) cargos (ODC) from Ashuganj to Tripura.
Transportation of ODC carrying
equipment for Palatona Power Plant in
Tripura, completed in August 2011.
24. It was agreed that the construction of the Bangladesh and India have been in close
proposed Akhaura – Agartala railway negotiation to establish the Akhaura-
link be financed by grant from India. A Ministry of Agartalal link financed by Indian grant.
joint team of the railway authorities of Communications
the two countries will identify the – Bangladesh
alignment for connectivity. Railway
31. The Prime Minister of India agreed to Power Division has finalized the
supply to Bangladesh 250 MW electricity arrangements for importing 250MW
from its grid. In this context, both Prime electricity from India which is planned to
Ministers emphasized the need to start in July 2013.
expedite inter-grid connectivity. They
also agreed that the two countries shall
Ministry of
cooperate in development and exchange
Power, Energy &
of electricity, including generation from
Mineral
renewable sources, and may set up joint
Resources-
projects or corporate entities for that
Bangladesh
purpose.
Power
28
Development
Board
With a view to encouraging imports from
32. Bangladesh, both countries agreed to At present Bangladesh and India do not
address removal of tariff and non-tariff have any bilateral preferential trade
barriers and port restrictions and facilitate agreement, rather it enjoys same preference
movement of containerized cargo by rail from India which it gives to other SAARC
and water. In this context, Bangladesh countries.
welcomed India’s initiative to provide
duty-free access to SAARC LDCs to the
Indian market. Bangladesh also Ministry of
welcomed the reduction of the number of Commerce
items from India’s negative list that were
of direct interest to Bangladesh and
requested for further reduction in the list.
(coordination
with Ministry of
Communications
for containerized
cargo by rail &
water)
The Prime Ministers of India &
34. Bangladesh agreed that investments, During FY 2012 the BoI has made 37
including joint investment and joint registrations for total investment of US$
ventures, shall be encouraged by both 1998.8 million from India.
countries. They agreed that the
Prime Minister’s
participation of the private sector in both
Office - Board of
countries will give an added fillip to
Investment
economic engagement between the two
countries.
The Prime Ministers agreed to

35. operationalize land customs stations at Circulars were issued to make operational
Sabroom-Ramgarh and Demagiri- of Sabroom-Ramgarh and Demagiri-
Thegamukh, including putting in place Thegamukh Land Custom Stations. For road
necessary infrastructure and issue connection with Demagiri-Thegamukh LCS
necessary notifications. Further, with bridge over Feni river needs to be
respect to existing land custom stations, it constructed.
IRD/NBR-
was agreed to take measures for Customs
strengthening infrastructure.
It was agreed that border haats shall be

36. established on a pilot basis at selected Border haat at Baliamari in Kurigram and
areas, including on the Meghalaya Dolora in Sunamganj have become
border, to allow trade in specified operational. Governments of two countries
produces and products and in accordance agreed to establish more four border haats.
with the regulations agreed and notified
by both Governments. Ministry of
Commerce
29
(with IRD/NBR)
30
For any query/information, please contact below:
The Institute for Policy, Advocacy, and Governance (IPAG)

14B Chandrashila-Suvastu Tower
69/1 Bir Uttam Qazi Nuruzzaman Road
Dhaka 1205, Bangladesh
T: +880 2 964 1171/2 /3 F: +880 2 9641174 Email: info@ipag.org
web: www.ipag.org

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10, 2013

Bangladesh and North-Eastern States

Draft of the Proposed Two Day Economic

March 27, 2016

An Example of Benefits Resulting from Cross Border Economic Cooperation

1.1. Potential Areas of Cooperation

1.2. Progress of Latest Initiatives at Government Level

1.3. Objectives of the Conclave

The specific objectives of the event are to:

- Explore the opportunities for economic cooperation.

1.4. Scope of the Conclave

Chapter 2: Relevance of the Conclave

Chapter 3: The Platform & Stakeholders

The Conclave will involve the following tools:

Chapter 4: Proposed Participant Groups

Stakeholder Group Role in the Conclave

 Members of Parliamentary identify the potentials and make

Standing Committees for recommendations to overcome the challenges.

Ministry of Commerce and The conclave platform will facilitate

Ministry of Industries. development of networks creating the basis

communities and increased regional

Chapter 5: Proposed Partners

Proposed Focal Points from the NESI Region

Private Sector Body Think Tank/University Media

Arunachal Arunachal Pradesh Rajiv Gandhi University Arunachal Front

Assam Assam Chamber of Assam University The Assam Tribune

Manipur Manipur Chamber of Manipur University The Sangai Express

Nagaland Dimapur Chamber of Nagaland University Nagaland Post

Tripura Tripura Chamber of Tripura University Tripura Times

Media Partners from Bangladesh Key Personnel

The Daily Star  Mahfuz Anam, Editor

The Daily Prothom Alo  Matiur Rahman, Editor

ATN Bangla  Munni Saha, Head of News

NTV  Zahirul Alam, Chief News Editor

National Media Partners from India Key Personnel

Times of India  Jaideep Bose, Executive Editor

Zee News  Suhdir Chaudhury, Head

The engagement of the media organizations will be in the following manner:

Chapter 6: Proposed Roles and Responsibilities of Partner Organizations

Research and Information

 Extend necessary support for

 Finalize participant list; dispatch invitations;

 Organize & manage the overall event.

 Facilitate institutional and

 Stretch the program to the

Chapter 7: Expected Outcome

Platform Conclave Initiative Output Impact

Chapter 9: Draft Agenda for the Proposed Two Day Conclave

A. Areas of Economic Cooperation between Bangladesh & NESI

B. Enhancing Trade and Removing Tariff and Non-Tariff Barriers

C. Energy and Natural Resources Cooperation between Bangladesh and NESI

D. Exploiting Competitive Advantages: Cross-Border Investments and Economic Zones

E. Transit and Connectivity: Reaching a Win-Win Solution

09:35-09:40 Opening Remarks: Dr. Sachin Chaturvedi, Director General, RIS

Address by the Special Guests:

10:05-10:20 [Proposed and if available]

Key note Speech: Dr. Sachin Chaturvedi, Director General, RIS

Moderator: Mohammad Mejbahuddin, Senior Secretary, Economic Relations Division

10:35-11:05 (ERD), Ministry of Finance, Government of Bangladesh

The Panelists (7 minutes each + Transition time):

- Abdul Matlub Ahmad, President, Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of

Open Floor Discussion in Participation with Invited Selected Audience

11:30-12:00 Tea Break

Moderator: Professor Syed Munir Khasru, Chairman, IPAG