Bangladesh Pushes for Quicker Business Visas to Strengthen Ties with India

Bangladesh's Call for Enhanced Business Collaboration with India

Dhaka: Bangladesh is advocating for a more expedited process for issuing business visas to its citizens traveling to India, aiming to foster a mutually beneficial economic partnership with New Delhi.

During a recent reception, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam emphasized the importance of enhancing communication between the business sectors of both nations, as reported by Dhaka Tribune.

She highlighted the necessity for quicker issuance of business visas, allowing Bangladeshi entrepreneurs to visit India more frequently.

The minister also pointed out the need to tackle non-tariff barriers, standards, testing issues, procedural delays, and infrastructure challenges that hinder the seamless flow of goods and services.

Islam expressed a desire for a more dynamic trade and investment relationship, asserting that improved predictability and ease of doing business would benefit enterprises in both countries.

She reiterated Bangladesh's goal of establishing an economic partnership with India that yields tangible benefits for the populace.

At the event hosted by the Indian High Commission, which honored prominent Bangladeshi business figures and a delegation from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Islam expressed confidence in the business communities of both nations to collaboratively find practical solutions to existing challenges.

While acknowledging that India is a key trading partner for Bangladesh, she noted that the current bilateral trade, which has seen significant growth, still falls short of its full potential and remains structurally imbalanced.

The minister called for an expansion of the economic partnership, urging both sides to overcome obstacles and create more opportunities for trade and investment.

She invited increased Indian investment in Bangladesh, emphasizing the country's large domestic market, skilled workforce, competitive production capabilities, and proximity to regional markets.

Islam mentioned that Bangladesh's economic zones offer Indian firms the chance to set up dedicated manufacturing and export facilities, particularly welcoming investments that introduce technology, integrate local suppliers, and generate employment.

Such investments could also facilitate the connection of Bangladeshi products to regional and global value chains.

She noted that Indian companies with established distribution networks could enhance sourcing from Bangladesh in sectors where the country excels, such as ready-made garments, textiles, jute products, leather, pharmaceuticals, agro-processing, ceramics, plastics, and light engineering.

Bangladesh stands as India's largest trading partner in South Asia, with India being one of the top export destinations for Bangladeshi goods in Asia. As of February 2025-26, the total bilateral trade turnover is approximately USD 11.35 billion.

Under the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA), India offers duty-free and quota-free market access for nearly all Bangladeshi products.