NARAYANGANJ: A cargo vessel containing Bhutanese gravels (crushed stone) reached here using waterways for the first time elevating the trade relations among neighboring Bangladesh, India and Bhutan to a new height.

The vessel anchored at Meghna Ghat here on Tuesday (July 16).

Representatives of the three nations' governments and high officials of Bashundhara Group inaugurated the trade activities at the ferry ghat Thursday (July 18) noon.

The ceremony was chaired by Safwan Sobhan, vice chairman of Bangladesh's leading industrial conglomerate Bashundhara Group.

India High Commissioner in Dhaka Riva Ganguly Das, Bhutanese Ambassador Sonam Tobden Rabgye, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) Chairman Commodore M Mahbub Ul Islam, Bashundhara Group Director Yeasha Sobhan, Shipping Ministry Joint Secretary Muhidul Islam and Additional Commissioner (Custom House, Pangaon) Syed Atiqur Rahman, among others, were present.

"Gravel import from Bhutan to Bangladesh via India has made a new start in trade among the three countries. It’s a historical moment," said Riva Ganguly.
  
Sonam Tobden Rabgye said Bhutan-Bangladesh-India will be benefited and relations among the countries will improve by the endeavor. 

BIWTA Chairman said this consignment marks resuming naval route transit among the three nations after remaining halted for long and it can help increasing communication in South Asia.

"Bashundhara Group is a good partner of us in dredging and other activities of naval route. They are very earnest. BIWTA is always ready to solve any problem in naval routes and it will be possible if the work is done together," he added. 

Carrying 1,000 metric ton gravels brought from Bhutanese town of Phuentsholing, the Indian cargo ship 'MV AAI’ of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) was digitally flagged off on July 12 by Indian State Minister for Shipping Mansukh Mandaviya.

BDST: 1733 HRS, JUL 18, 2019
SI/SMS