Dhaka, Delhi can transform geographical proximity into new economic opportunities: Verma

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma said on Sunday that Bangladesh and India can really transform their geographical proximity into new economic opportunities by setting a forward-looking and people-centric agenda.

He made the remarks while talking to reporters at the secretariat after his meeting with Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury.

Their discussion focused on cooperation in the financial sector, emerging areas such as the digital economy and artificial intelligence, as well as improving the ease of doing business to promote greater investment and deepen economic cooperation between the two countries.

They discussed ways to enhance trade and economic ties between the two friendly neighbours and make economic engagement more convenient for both sides.

“The whole idea is how we can enhance our trade and economic ties, how we can strengthen our economic connectivity, and how we can promote our economic cooperation,” he said.

The high commissioner said trade is already taking place through various channels and stressed the need to make it more convenient as part of improving the ease of doing business.

He said they also discussed cooperation in the financial sector and taxation reforms, as well as greater use of technology to make economic participation more inclusive.

The high commissioner shared India’s successful experience in financial inclusion, describing the discussion as a very forward-looking conversation.

Verma said the meeting was overall very positive, noting that both countries have large economies and forward-looking societies with significant potential to work together.

Earlier at an Iftar event, the high commissioner noted that as two aspiring and forward-moving societies, India and Bangladesh stand at the cusp of a new future where they can offer to each other and to the region, shared prosperity by working together.

He expressed India’s support for a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive, and inclusive Bangladesh, and described the presence of a large number of guests from a wide array of Bangladeshi society at the Iftar as a reaffirmation of shared commitment to strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.