AGARTALA, Oct 20 (TIWN): To boost the trade between Bangaldesh and Tripura including other north east states , the centre have modernized the integrated land custom at Srimanthapur as integrated development complex ( IDC). Amount spent for modernization was 21 crore rupees. After Durga Puja the IDC is schedule to be inaugurated. The state government has invited union minister of commerce for inauguration. The land custom station at Agartala have already been converted as Integrated Check Post (ICP).

At present there are eight land custom station in the state along Indo – Bangla border other than Agartala and Srimanthapur.  The remaining stations are – Khowai ghat, Muhuri ghat, Manughat, Ragna bazaar, Dhalaighat, and Anandapara. But there are regular export – import are carried at Agartala ICP.The remaining land custom stations are defunct no trades are carried there.

As per demand of the state government, the centre are modernizing the land custom stations, opening border haats to boost  trade in  the entire  north east region.   Hundreds and hundreds crore of rupees are spent.

But the trade is not developing as desired. The balance between export and import is not balanced. Import in the state is more from Bangladesh comparatively export from here. The data says in 2013 -14 goods worth 229.83 crore rupees  was imported and goods worth 41 lakh was exported.

The goods imported are cement, stone chips,fish, dry fish, plastic goods, etc. The state imports paper, fruits and paper boards.Bangladesh have a huge market for gas and rubber based industries. But the state government is not at all worried to improve the trade, they are limited only at constructing on land custom stations in the state.