State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam

yesterday said the business communities of Bangladesh and Indian northeastern states need to share ideas and contribute to cross-border flow of investments to take maximum advantage of the geographical contiguity and translate the business complementarity into successful business ventures, reports UNB.

"I would urge chambers from both countries to identify the barriers to existing trade and investment and proactively work with respective governments so that the volume of business could be expanded in future," he said.

The State Minister was addressing the inaugural ceremony of North East India-Bangladesh EXIM Conclave in the city as the chief guest.

The sectors in which both Bangladesh and India's northeastern states enjoy comparative advantages such as information and communication technology, agro processing, renewable energy and hydroelectricity need to be given utmost importance, he said.

Shahriar said human resources development is another area of strategic intervention. "I'm happy to note that NEF (North East Foundation) through its multifarious initiatives has contributed to North East India's achievements in skills enhancement."