Dhaka: Tripura Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Dev Varma urged Bangladeshi industries to invest in the state to help Tripura turn into the trade corridor of the North East region.

The Deputy Chief Minister made the call during the inauguration of the second edition of ‘Bharat-Bangla Paryatan Utsav 2022’ on April 17, which is currently underway in Agartala.

Dev Varma called on the investors from Bangladesh to establish their manufacturing units in Tripura to enjoy special incentives offered by the government of India through schemes like ‘Special Economic Zone’ and ‘Ease of Doing Business’.

“Tripura shares a historical relationship with Bangladesh. During the Bangladesh liberation war, Tripura played a strategic role by giving shelter to the freedom fighters. Tripura may be a small state, (but) people here have a big heart. We welcome our friends from Bangladesh to visit all tourist destinations of the state,” said Dev Varma.

On the industrial sector, he mentioned, “We want the Bangladesh government to encourage investment here in Tripura through setting up manufacturing units. Both the regions will be immensely benefited by this and long-standing trade relations will further flourish. Our government has been working on a priority basis to open another land port in Sabroom in South Tripura where a special economic zone is also being established. We are working to transform our state into the trade corridor of the North East region.”

On the other hand, Tripura Tourism Minister Pranajit Singha Roy spoke about the economic aspects of the tourism sector.

“Several countries of the world are solely dependent on tourism for revenue. Tripura is also a state that is enriched in natural resources. For instance, the government has already started working to transform Narikel Kunja as a world class tourist destination,” he said.

The Minister further added, Tripura has also got a connectivity boost and very soon the state will have multifaceted connectivity with Bangladesh through railway, highway and waterways.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Md Abdus Shahid, a Member of Parliament from Bangladesh, said that tourism plays a pivotal role in improving the economy and giving new heights to the cultural ties.

Mayor of Agartala Municipal Corporation Dipak Majumder also spoke at the inaugural ceremony.

Several tour operators, officials, artists and businessmen from both countries attended the function that is scheduled to conclude on April 19.