Composite team of 13 delegates from
Bangladesh, accompanied by officials from the Inland Waterways
Authority of India (IWAI), Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways
(MoPS&W), Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping), and Central
Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC),
Chennai Port successfully hosted the composite team
of 13 delegates from Bangladesh, accompanied by officials from the Inland
Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Ministry of Ports, Shipping &
Waterways (MoPS&W), Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping), and Central
Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), on 6th July 2024.
2. The visit's agenda was established during the 21st
Standing Committee Meeting (SCM) held on 20th October 2021, with the
agreement signed on 18th December 2023. It was decided that a
Composite Technical Team (CTT) from Bangladesh would visit these Indian ports
to determine their suitability for handling third country cargo. Timelines were
discussed and referred to the Shipping Secretary Level Talks (SSLT).
3. The delegation's itinerary, scheduled from 6th
to 12th July 2024, includes stops at Chennai, Krishnapatnam,
Visakhapatnam, Kolkata, and Haldia ports. The team will continue evaluating the
potential of these ports for third country EXIM trade, which may necessitate
modifications to the existing Coastal Shipping Agreement and the Standard
Operating Procedure (SOP) for PIWTT.
4. During their visit, the delegation met with Chennai
Port Authority and Kamarajar Port Limited officials and toured the port
facilities to observe the advanced capabilities and robust infrastructure
available at Chennai Port.
5. During the discussion Shri Sunil Paliwal, IAS,
Chairperson, Chennai Port Authority & Chairman, Kamarajar Port Limited, focused
on assessing the technical feasibility followed by financial viability of facilitating third
country export-import (EXIM) cargo under the Coastal Shipping Agreement and the
Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT) between India and
Bangladesh. Shri S.Viswanathan, IAS, Deputy Chairperson, Chennai Port
Authority, Smt. J.P. Irene Cynthia, IAS, Managing Director, Kamarajar Port
Limited and Shri S.M.Mostafa Kamal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Shipping,
Bangladesh interacted with each other exploring mutual benefits for both the
countries.
The delegates from Bangladesh, impressed upon that
the delegation is exploring the Transhipment of Bangladesh Cargo through
Eastern Coast of India in addition to their traditional routes. The
interactions were highly productive, with both sides highlighting and
addressing various issues necessitating further micro level discussions on
various aspects. Shri Rithu Raj Mishra, Director (Ports)
Ministry of Port Shipping and Waterways mentioned that this visit marks a
significant step in fostering stronger trade ties between India and Bangladesh
and beyond through the Port in the Eastern Coast of India.