AGARTALA, May 5 (TIWN): It has been a long pending demand since 1993 to remove heavy restrictions on the export of items via Tripura border to neighboring country Bangladesh. It was seen, amid India Govt’s relaxations given to Bangladesh for sending their items in India without almost any customary, the Bangladesh Govt has imposed restrictions on the exporting via Tripura leading a huge economic blockade in the Export-Import business. Yesterday in Act East Policy meeting of Northeast Chief Ministers, Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Deb requested Ministry of External Affairs to take appropriate measures to remove trade restrictions on 27 number of items from Tripura to Bangladesh so as to improve the trade of Tripura with Bangladesh and to reduce the trade deficit significantly.

In the demand it was said, “Removal of Port Restriction imposed by Bangladesh is necessary to improve the export in Tripura to Bangladesh- During 2016, total volume of trade between Tripura and Bangladesh was Rs. 304. 83 Crore. Export from Tripura was only Rs. 4.60 Crore. Thus, there is severe trade deficit being faced by Tripura due to Port Restrictions imposed by Bangladesh on the items exported from Tripura”.

Recently, talking to TIWN, Tripura Industry & Commerce President M L Debnath said, "Talks are going on at the govt level but there is no much outcomes of the attempts yet. However, the matter will be pushed to the Bangladesh Govt in coming days". On yesterday, during NITI forum led meeting, Tripura CM raised the issue of removing restriction on export from Tripura to Bangladesh. Among the 23 demands, placed before the DoNER Minister on yesterday the 16th was "Removal of restriction on export from Tripura to Bangladesh". 

However, since the beginning of export-import business in 1994, Indo-Bangla trades were benefiting only the Bangladesh Govt, whereas in exchange there was hardly any 'piece of cake' left for businessmen here, which is one of the major reason behind state like Tripura's poor revenue income.

The reason behind is mainly Bangladesh govt's heavy restriction upon Indian exports at the cost of India's heavy relaxations to Bangladesh in custom duties.

Recently, addressing media, Tripura Industry & Commerce President ML Debnath today said, "The reason behind Tripura's poor performance in export business is nothing but Bangladesh Govt's too much restriction to receive goods via Tripura border". At the same the Dept's President also has requested the Govt of India to solve the complications by holding a talk with the Govt of Bangladesh.

The demand of removal of port restriction for 27 items for export was raised :

First list : 1) Rubber (all product), 2) Bamboo products (including bamboo sticks for agarbatti manufacturing), 3)Tea, 4) Cashew nut, 5)Arjun flowers (broom), 6) Readymade garments including handloom products, 7) spares parts of cars, 8) Electric and Electronic items (including home appliances), 9) Bicycle, 10) Two wheelers and auto mobile (three, four and multi wheeler).

2nd list :  1) Cosmetics, 2) old car, 3) CNG Spares, 4) Paper, 5) sugar, 6) marble stone, 7) generators, 8) broken glass, 9) chocolate, 10) soya bean, 11) steel and steel products, 12 ) baby whisper, 13) confectionary, 14) salt, 15) maize, 16) bitumen, 17) stone bolder.