Wednesday, August 3 2005 12:05 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Dhaka: The two-day Bangladesh-India Joint Working Group meeting has ended without any major breakthrough, but has agreed on a road map to ease non-tariff barriers and facilitate trade between the two countries.

"We have approved a road map in a step forward to eliminate non-tariff barriers and facilitate trade so that more Bangladeshi products can have access to the Indian market," M.V.P.C. Shastry, Joint Commerce Secretary and head of the Indian delegation told reporters.

The two sides signed a 13-page agreed minutes yesterday (Aug 3, 2005), the officials said.

The meeting of officials from the Commerce Ministries of both countries, which began on Monday, deferred revision of the India-Bangladesh Trade Agreement, but reports said both sides have, however, agreed on the points for change.

Earlier, Bangladesh side had said they were close to finalizing the revised trade accord between the two neighbours.

Bangladesh Commercial Councilor to India Wasiuddin Ahmed had said on Monday the two sides are nearly close to finalizing revision of the trade agreement, although some points are yet to be resolved which might reach an agreement.