Guwahati: A portal India-Bangladesh Trade Portal - aimed at benefitting the Northeast was on Wednesday launched under the aegis of the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission, Guwahati.

A first-of-its-kind portal, it is expected to facilitate interaction and activities between the business fraternities of India and Bangladesh.

"It is a trade portal wherein database of exporters and importers of northeastern India and Bangladesh is uploaded, and which would enable B2B collaboration between buyers and sellers of both the regions. It would also allow business dealings and negotiations between the two sides. This is a step ahead activity between the two geographies in order to enable smooth conduct of business transactions between the two regions," an ICC spokesperson said.

ICC together with the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission, Guwahati, organized the launching of the India-Bangladesh trade portal at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission, Guwahati Office today.

The event was attended by prominent exporters of Assam along with dignitaries from reputed government institutions like the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC).

Dr. Shah Mohammad Tanvir Monsur, Assistant High Commissioner. Bangladesh; High Commission, Guwahati, in his welcome address termed Northeast as the Scotland of India in terms of natural beauty and natural resources. "It is also the hub of unique products of the world. India-Bangladesh bilateral trade statistics amount to $ 10 billion per annum, but Northeast India contributes only 1 percent of this trade statistics which includes traditional items like coal, vegetables, limestone, tea, etc.," he said. The Assistant High Commissioner highlighted the potential of other items like handloom and handicrafts and MUGA silk for export. He added that the India-Bangladesh trade portal would subsequently be maintained and upgraded by ICC for the development of trade between business-to-business entities. The portal would contain details of products, buyer-seller details, including contact details, and enable business transactions between the two portals through proper utilization of the portal.