Bangladesh Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir said discussions are needed to restore Bangladesh-India trade to its previous normal state following recent commercial restrictions. At a meeting with a Confederation of Indian Industry delegation at the Secretariat on August 18, he said he expected positive progress on the matter within the next few months. The delegation was led by CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee.

The minister stressed using geographic proximity to expand bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation. He said a normal trade environment, removal of commercial barriers, easier visas and private-sector participation were needed for a long-term economic partnership. The meeting also addressed visa complications for businesspeople and professionals, with the minister calling for cooperation on longer-term visas for regular travelers.

CII proposed two joint task forces: one for private infrastructure investment and public-private partnerships, and another for cooperation in semiconductors, green hydrogen, battery storage and data centers. It also expressed interest in FMCG investment, including an integrated factory near Dhaka, and raised local production, energy-efficient technology tariffs, internships for Bangladeshi youth and visa support for Bangladeshi engineers working in third countries.