Executive Summary:
This public notice, issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, amends arrangements for trade in Border Haats between Bangladesh and India, as per the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) dated April 8, 2017. It defines permissible commodities for trade and outlines operational guidelines, superseding previous public notices on the subject. The notice took effect on July 31, 2017.
Key Points / Main Content:
Commodities Allowed for Trade:
Permitted items include locally produced vegetables, food items, fruits, and spices.
Other allowed items are minor forest produce (excluding timber), cottage industry products (e.g., Gamcha, Lungi, Saree), and small household/agricultural implements.
Garments, melamine products, processed foods, toiletries, cosmetics, plastic, aluminum, cookeries and stationery are also permitted.
Any product of indigenous nature is allowed subject to mutual consent.
Border Haat Locations:
Trade is permitted at Baliamari (Bangladesh) - Kalaichar (India), Lauwaghar Dalora (Bangladesh) - Balat (India), East Madugram/Sagaria (Bangladesh) - Srinagar (India), and Tarapur (Bangladesh) - Kamalsagar (India).
Operational Guidelines:
The list of tradable items can be expanded or modified by mutual consent in Joint Committee meetings.
Vendors may offer immediate consumption items (snacks, juices) as allowed by the Haat Management Committee.
Vendors and vendees must reside within a 5 km radius of the Border Haat. The number of vendors is limited to approximately 50 from each country.
Transactions can occur in local currency or via barter.
Individual purchases are limited to items reasonable for personal/family consumption, with an estimated value not exceeding the local currency equivalent of US$200 per day.
Foreign exchange regulations are suspended in designated Border Haats.
Impact Analysis
Vendors and Vendees:
Impact: Residents within a 5 km radius of the Border Haats are enabled to sell and purchase specific commodities.
Action Required: Vendors and vendees need to ensure they meet the residency requirement and adhere to the list of permissible items and transaction limits.
Haat Management Committee:
Impact: The committee is responsible for allowing vendors to offer immediate consumption items.
Action Required: The committee needs to establish guidelines and procedures for approving snack foods and juices for sale.
Joint Committee:
Impact: The committee can expand or modify the list of items allowed for trade in Border Haats.
Action Required: The committee needs to convene meetings to review and update the list of permissible items through mutual consent.
Directorate General of Foreign Trade:
Impact: Responsible for operationalizing the arrangements on Border Haats under the MOU between India and Bangladesh.
Action Required: Ensure compliance with the provisions of the Public Notice and monitor the implementation of the Border Haat trade arrangements.
Key Entities Referenced
Directorate General of Foreign Trade: The issuing authority of the public notice, responsible for foreign trade policy.
Foreign Trade Policy 2015-2020: The policy under which powers are exercised to amend arrangements for border haats.
Memorandum of Understanding dated 08042017 between India and Bangladesh: The agreement between India and Bangladesh that provides the framework for the border haats.
Bangladesh: A country bordering India, involved in the border haat initiative.
India: A country involved in the border haat initiative.
Baliamari Kurigram District, Bangladesh: Location of a border haat in Bangladesh.
Kalaichar West Garo Hills, India: Location of a border haat in India, specifically in West Garo Hills of Meghalaya.
Border Haats: Trading posts established along the border between Bangladesh and India to facilitate local trade.