Visiting Bangladesh Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan made the suggestion here during his hour-long talks with Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath.

Khan, according to official sources, said northeastern Indian traders have to rush all the way to Kolkata or Delhi to secure LCs. They should be allowed to open the same in their region.

Khan laid special emphasis on removal of non-tariff barriers to promote greater trade between the two countries.

The foreign minister also proposed improvement of land port and storage facilities on the Indian side at Petrapole and Phulbari which lagged behind those on Bangladesh territory.

Khan stressed the need for hamonising the standard testing institutions in both the countries so that a Saarc standard of testing can be evolved.

He suggested preparing a concept paper on harmonisation of standards, which was accepted by India.

President of Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) Qutubddin Ahmed, who also attended the meeting, suggested that Bangladesh can import more fabric from India if the latter makes the export duty-free. This would help value addition for both the countries, he added.

Ahmed invited Kamal Nath to attend the centenary celebration of MCCI in Dhaka later this year.

MCCI Secretary General C K Haider was also present at the meeting.