Speakers at an e-seminar on Bangladesh-India ties in the small business sector said the scope of SME business and friendly relations between the two next-door neighbours will be strengthened further.
Dr Yashoda Durge, an academician and marketing expert of India, joined the seminar as the chief guest while Dr Ashu Jain of St Aloysius College of India’s Madhya Pradesh, and Dr Nadia Binte Amin, President of WEND and Entrepreneur, were the special guests.
Mohammad Amanullah Aman, Vice-president of the club, presided over the programme where two papers were presented.
The speakers said Bangladesh and India are two closest neighbours and the relation between the two countries is at its height now. Cumilla needs to be included in the railway network to boost the bilateral trade, they added.
The speakers suggest inclusion of train connectivity between Cumilla district and Dhaka city via Daudkandi, Meghna and Kachpur in the eighth Five Year Plan as it will reduce rail link between the two parts by 63 kilometres.
Road link between India’s Agartala and Cumilla district and waterway with the Gumti river of Cumilla district may be an important part for connectivity with the establishment of an airport in Cumilla district, they said.
They also suggest formation of a new free-trade area among Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam for regional cooperation in future.
Dr Yashoda Durge, in her speech, referred to civilisational, cultural, social and economic links between India and Bangladesh and said the friendly relationship will be strengthening.
Dr Ashu Jain said there is much unity between the two countries – a shared history and common heritage, education, learning, scientific research, linguistic and cultural ties, passion for music, literature and the arts.
