Border Haat on India-Bangladesh at Srinagar, Tripura and Tarapur Kalaichar – Free Trade upto $200 per Transaction within 5 km Allowed

[Ref: Public Notice No. 14 /2015-2020 dated 31 July 2017]

Effect of Public Notice: It operationalizes the arrangements on Border Haats under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) dated 0810412017 between India and B Bangladesh.

Subject: Trade in Border Haats across the border between Bangladesh and India.

In exercise of powers conferred under paragraph 2.04 read with paragraph 2.21 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2015-20, the Director General of Foreign Trade, in supersession of Public Notice No. 7212009-2014 (RE-2013) dated 7.11.2014, Public Notice No.l512015-2020 (RE-2015) dated 3rd June, 2015 and _ Public Notice No.3412015-2020 (RE-2015) dated 9th September, 2015 hereby amends the arrangements in in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Dated 08..04.2017 between India and Bangladesh.

2. In terms of the provisions contained in the Foreign Trade Policy, the following commodities will be allowed to be traded in the Border Haats at (i) Baliamari (Kurigram District, Bangladesh) - Kalaichar (West Garo Hills, India), (ii) Lauwaghar (Dalora, Sunamganj District, Bangladesh)- Balat (East Khasi Hills, India), (iii) East Madugram and Middle· Place of Sagaria (Feni District, Bangladesh) - Srinagar (West Tripura, India) and (iv) Tarapur (Brahmanbaria District, Bangladesh) - Kamalsagar (Sipahijala District, Tripura, India).

(a) Locally produced vegetables, food items, fruits, spices;

(b) Minor. forest produce e.g. bamboo, bamboo · grass and broom stick but excluding timber;

(c) Products of cottage industries like Gamcha, Lungi, Saree and any other handloom product etc;

(d) Small household and agricultural implements e.g. dao, plough, axe, spade, chisel, etc;

(e) Garments, melamine products, processed food items, fruit juice, toiletries, cosmetics, plastic products, aluminium products, cookeries and stationery;

(f) Any product indigenous nature specifically product in the area of Border Haats subject to mutual consent.

3. The list of items allowed for trade in designated Border Haats may be expanded I modified by mutual consent in the Joint Committee meeting. The vendees may offer immediate consumption items of snack foods I juices as may be allowed by the Haat Management committee.

4. Vendors and vendees who are allowed to sell their products I buy products in the Border Haats shall be the residents of the area within five (5) km radius from the location of Border Haat. The number of vendors would be limited to about fifty (50) from each country.

5. The commodities will be allowed to be exchanged in the designated Border Haats in local currency and I or barter basis. Each individual will be allowed to purchase only as much of the commodities produced in Bangladesh I India which are reasonable for bona - fide personal I family consumption. Estimated value of such purchases shall not be more than respective local currency equivalent of US $ 200 (two hundred) for any particular day. The regulations relating to foreign exchange will be suspended in the designated Border Haats.