CUTS with the support of US Consulate, Kolkata did a study on Enhancing Trade and Regional Economic Integration between India and Bangladesh. The overall goal of the study was to frame policy proposals for improving India-Bangladesh trade through land route which will in turn generate welfare outcomes such as new market opportunities for small-scale manufacturing and agrarian sectors, especially for Border States. Thus the study aimed at:
- Identification of transportation bottlenecks, deficiencies in administration of cargo movement, and other impediments related to trade services in land customs stations between the border between West Bengal and Bangladesh through primary research.
- Identification of issues related to existing trade regulations, gaps in administrative and financial capacity of central, state and local governments and other stakeholders including business organizations, trade unions and local associations of trade support service providers etc.
- Assessment of capacity and efficiency of existing trade resources (infrastructure, local trade bodies and entities, human resources at land border stations) and explore possibilities of leveraging them for betterment of cross-border trade.