Indian private sector to invest $9.0b in BDDirective to conclude talks on seven riversNEW DELHI, Apr 8 (UNB): The Indian private sector has signed a number of agreements that will result in investment of over US$9.0 billion in Bangladesh.Both sides expressed satisfaction over the growth in trade and investment in the recent years.Meanwhile, another report by bdnews24.com adds: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee offered export of up to 1,000 MW electricity to Bangladesh during her meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. "We have surplus power in West Bengal and since Bangladesh needs power for her economic growth, we can give power to Bangladesh," Mamata told journalists after meeting Sheikh Hasina with Indian PM Narendra Modi and President Pranab Mukherjee.Bangladesh is receiving 500MW electricity from West Bengal and 100 MW from Tripura. Another 60 MW will be given from Tripura, according to Indian officials.The Modi government has also promised another 500 MW to Bangladesh -- so when Mamata made the offer, Modi asked her to put it in writing.A West Bengal official said on Sunday that the offer was formally made in a letter to the Centre after instructions from the chief minister.Another report of the bdnews24.com adds: Officials concerned have been directed to conclude discussions on various aspects relating to sharing of water of the rivers Feni, Manu, Muhuri, Khowai, Gumti, Dharla and Dudhkumar between Bangladesh and India.The directive was given in the joint statement of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on Saturday.The two Prime Ministers appreciated the "positive" steps taken in respect of Bangladesh's proposal for jointly developing the Ganges Barrage on the river Padma in Bangladesh as they welcomed new developments.They pledged to pursue "new opportunities" to further deepen and broaden the relations in the 62-point statement issued after their summit meeting and exchange of signed agreements and MoUs.Those include the visit of "an Indian technical team to Bangladesh and establishment of a 'Joint Technical Sub-Group on Ganges Barrage Project' and study of the riverine border in the upstream area of project".Both leaders directed the concerned officials of the 'Joint Technical Sub-Group' to meet soon.According to the statement, 34 bilateral documents including business documents "are being signed, exchanged, adopted and handed over during the visit".Defence, civil nuclear cooperation, space technology and cyber security are some of the new areas of agreements signed during the visit.Modi announced a special medical scheme under which 100 Muktijoddhas of Bangladesh will be provided medical treatment in Indian hospitals every year.He also extended the Muktijoddha Scholarship Scheme for 10,000 heirs of Muktijhoddhas for another five years. He also announced five-year multiple entry visas for the freedom fighters.The two Prime Ministers emphasised the advantages of sub-regional cooperation in the areas of power, water resources, trade, transit and connectivity for mutual benefit.Prime Minister Modi thanked Prime Minister Hasina for the supply of broadband internet connectivity from Cox's Bazar to Tripura and Northeastern region of India.UNB adds: The two leaders stressed the need to improve market access and remove barriers to trade to ensure smooth movement of goods across the borders.The barriers include port restrictions on products, according to the joint statement issued after bilateral talks between the two leaders.Bangladesh also assured India of considering its request for doing away with the discriminatory regime of 'Minimum Import Price' in respect of import of certain products from India to Bangladesh.The two prime ministers directed their respective officials to set up Special Economic Zones (SEZs) for Indian companies quickly at the identified locations, according to the joint statement.One of the locations is a 1005-acre site at Mirsarai, for which Prime Minister Modi particularly appreciated Prime Minister Hasina's generosity and encouragement.

Source: bd News24 April 09, 2017 18:22 UTC