AGARTALA / NEW DELHI, Jan 7 (TIWN): Immediately after the inauguration of Tripura's LCS at Srimantapur by Union Minister of State for Commerce Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesda, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led Union cabinet on Wednesday gave an ex-post-facto approval to a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between India and Bangladesh for setting up 'Border Haats', an official statement said.The Border Haats aim at establishing a traditional system of marketing local produce thorough local markets in local currency or barter basis, thereby promoting the well-being of the people dwelling in remote areas across the boundary of the two countries. An agreement was reached in 2010 to establish Border Haats at selected areas, including on the Meghalaya border, to allow trade in specified products and in accordance with the regulations agreed and notified by both governments.To implement the same, an MoU and the mode of operation of Border Haats was signed on October 23, 2010. Subsequently, an addendum to the mode of operation was signed on May 15, 2012.Border Haats are already operational at Kalaichar and Balat (Meghalaya-Bangladesh border), and Kamlasagar and Srinagar (Tripura-Bangladesh border).Inaugurating the LCS at Srimantapur, Union Commerce Minister said that Tripura will be the gateway to South-east Asia in near future.

The Border Haats aim at establishing a traditional system of marketing local produce thorough local markets in local currency or barter basis, thereby promoting the well-being of the people dwelling in remote areas across the boundary of the two countries. 

In addition, both the governments agreed to further establish two Border Haats in Tripura and four Border Haats in Meghalaya on the Bangladesh border.

As per the MoU, new areas will also be identified for Border Haats.

During the visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister to India on 10-13 January, 2010, it was agreed that Border Haats shall be established on a pilot basis at selected areas, including on the Meghalaya border, to allow trade in specified products and in accordance with the regulations agreed and notified by both Governments. 

In order to implement the same,an MoU and the Mode of operation of Border Haats across the border between Bangladesh and lndia was signed on 23rd October, 2010, Subsequently, an Addendum to Mode of operation of Border Haats across the Border between Bangladesh and India was also signed on 15th May, 2012. 

The following Border Haats are already operational: 
1. Kalaichar (Meghalaya-Bangladesh border) 

2. Balat (Meghalaya-Bangladesh border) 

3. Kamlasagar (Tripura-Bangladesh border)

4. Srinagar (Tripura-Bangladesh border) 
In addition, both the Government agreed to further establish two Border Haats in Tripura and four Border Haats in Meghalaya on the Bangladesh border.