Dhaka: Chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Mission on Infrastructure, Trade and Investment, Vinayak Chatterjee, has proposed the creation of two high-level Business-to-Business (B2B) taskforces to enhance economic cooperation between Bangladesh and India. The focus will be on infrastructure and emerging technology sectors.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Chatterjee announced the proposal at a press conference following a meeting with the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI). He presented the taskforces as part of a roadmap aimed at strengthening bilateral business and investment ties.
The first taskforce will address infrastructure and private capital, with goals to facilitate mutual learning on mobilizing private investment for infrastructure development. Chatterjee noted that private investment in India's infrastructure sector currently accounts for about Tk 5 lakh crore annually, 20 percent of the total spending of Tk 25 lakh crore. He highlighted India's experience with Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) as potentially beneficial for Bangladesh in attracting investment for infrastructure projects. Bangladesh's development of major infrastructure projects could also offer valuable insights for India.
The taskforce would organize reciprocal meetings between business representatives in Dhaka and locations along the India-Bangladesh border to identify cooperation and investment opportunities.
The second taskforce will focus on 'sunrise sectors,' exploring technology-driven areas beyond traditional industries. Chatterjee highlighted nuclear power, semiconductors, green hydrogen and ammonia, green energy and battery storage, high-speed rail, data centers, artificial intelligence (AI), and solar cell and module manufacturing as key areas for collaboration. He also suggested incorporating biotechnology.
India's current investment in the semiconductor sector, around Tk 1.5 lakh crore, was cited as a potential area for knowledge sharing and joint initiatives. The taskforce would facilitate sharing of research and development progress, address technological challenges, and jointly identify advanced technology sources globally.
Chatterjee emphasized that the initiatives are intended to remain strictly B2B, aimed at maintaining positive economic engagement irrespective of political developments. He expressed optimism about the potential for Bangladesh and India to expand business, investment, and technological cooperation with a forward-looking approach.