India to give Rs 200 crore fresh loan

Finance Minister Shah AMS Kibria yesterday requested India to arrange a fresh 200 crore-rupee state credit after utilisation of the present tranche, reports UNB.

"This credit is very helpful in transport sector, for both the countries, particularly for buying railway machinery," he said while talking to the visiting Indian State Minister for External Affairs Ajit Panja at his residence.

Ajit Panja agreed to give a fresh 200 crore-rupee state credit after the utilisation of the current one, an official announcement said.

Kibria also called upon the Indian entrepreneurs to come forward to set up industries in Bangladesh in joint venture or 100 per cent ownership.

During the parley, enhanced economic cooperation between the two countries came up for discussion.

Ajit Panja observed there was ample scope for enhancing economic cooperation between the two countries. He stressed the need for visiting India by Bangladeshi trade delegations in order to explore the scope of joint industrial investment.

The visiting Indian Minister called upon the Bangladesh government to accelerate the steps for development of joint economic commission, investment and trade and commerce.

Economic Relations Division secretary Dr Masihur Rahman, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dev Mukherjee and Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Mostafa Faruque Muhammad were present there.