DHAKA: Bangladesh is no longer getting the scope for taking leasehold of agricultural land in Myanmar for farming to make up for a shortage of farmland to produce enough food to feed its 150-million-plus people.

The latest development was informed Wednesday at the beginning of the 4th Bangladesh-Myanmar joint Trade Commission meeting at a city hotel in the morning.

After the first session of the two-day meet, Commerce Secretary Golam Hossain, head of the 23-member host team, told banglanews that the decisions of the 3rd meeting were reviewed in the first session.

During initial discussion, the Myanmar delegation informed the hosts about their decision for not allowing Bangladesh any more to lease their agricultural lands, said Golam Hossain.

Besides, the plan for establishing Bangladesh-Myanmar joint power plant in their land has also been cancelled as the country has already gone for the joint venture with China, the secretary informed.

SM Nurul Haque, Director of country’s apex business body—the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI)--one of the participants in the meeting, however, told banglanews that Myanmar is considering setting up a hydroelectric power plant in Arakan area of the country, from which Bangladesh might buy up to 400 megawatts of electricity in the future.

Golam Hossain, addressing other agenda, said Bangladeshi traders would be able to go up to capital Yangon and the other cities with seven days’ pass from now on. The trip was valid up to Mongdu previously. But one has to take approval from the ambassador of Myanmar.

The talks included discussion on banking transactions for increasing the bilateral trade.

The secretary also said in case of LC, one would be able to issue LC of maximum $50,000 for importing and exporting from now on, up from $20,000.

Deputy Minister of Commerce Ministry of Myanmar Aung Tun is leading a 22-member delegation of the country, which includes government officials and business representatives.

BDST: 1449 HRS. SEPTEMBER 22, 2010