BIMSTEC Team Visits ICP Agartala
As part of the second event of the capacity-building program for trade facilitation aimed at BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) countries, representatives from the seven member nations visited the state today and inspected the Integrated Check Post (ICP) in Agartala.
Organized by the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), this trade facilitation and capacity-building program saw the participation of 20 officials from BIMSTEC’s seven member countries.
Warm Welcome and Inspection of Facilities
Officials from the Land Ports Authority of India welcomed the delegation.
Subsequently, the representatives toured the ICP complex, examining the trade and goods movement systems, the zero line, cargo transportation arrangements, passenger facilities, and other related aspects.
Agartala Land Port: A Key Connectivity Hub
Speaking to journalists after the inspection, Nirlpta Rath, Assistant Researcher at ICRIER, described the Agartala land port as a vital connectivity hub.
He noted that India could serve as a major transit point, with the potential to construct roads through India connecting Nepal and Bangladesh, and further linking to Southeast Asian countries.
He emphasized India’s leadership in trade facilitation and digitization, citing advancements such as the single-window system, electronic data interface, e-commerce, and green trade facilities.
Origins and Goals of the Program
Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced this trade facilitation capacity-building program during the fifth BIMSTEC Summit in March 2022.
The visit aims to enhance the capacity of BIMSTEC countries to reform, modernize, and monitor trade facilitation initiatives while increasing knowledge about best practices and emerging trends in the field.
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Focus on Trade Facilitation and Digitization
The program’s primary objective is to explore new possibilities in trade facilitation and digitization, focusing on well-known concepts such as the single-window system, electronic data interface, e-commerce, and green trade facilities.
Sponsored by the Ministry of External Affairs, this initiative is being implemented by ICRIER in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Enhancing Awareness of Modern Trade Practices
The capacity-building program seeks to promote awareness of trade facilitation measures such as the adoption and use of the single-window system, paperless trade, risk management, as well as emerging areas like e-commerce, green trade facilities, gender and trade facilitation, and the potential of new technologies in customs operations. (Edited)
