Customers flock to the Dolura-Balat border haat on the Sunamganj-Meghalaya frontier on Tuesday. Photo: STAR

Trade on the Dolura-Balat border haat began on Tuesday in the presence of officials from both sides. Hundreds of people flocked to the informal launch of the market that is situated on the Sunamganj-Meghalaya frontier.
The haat is on a 70 feet by 60 feet plot.
“We have just started trade and everything will be set very soon,” said Additional District Magistrate of Sunamganj Manish Chakma, who heads the border haat management committee.
“The Indians have requested allowing items like melamine and fish, which is still under consideration as we do not have a sufficient supply of those items.”
“In the meantime, we will be trading in the items on the existing list,” he added.
India requested a formal inauguration on either May 17 or 19 in the presence of a union minister, the official said. “We would inform the higher authorities since a cabinet minister would also have to be present.”
ADM of East Khasi hills district DM Wallang, also chief of the haat management committee, said the haat is aimed at facilitating trade, commerce and goodwill between residents across the Indo-Bangladesh border.
The haat is the second in the north-eastern region of Bangladesh that is yet to be formally launched. The Kalaichar border haat in the West Garo Hills district was inaugurated in July last year.
“One thousand people have already been given out the cards for buying items and it may be raised if needed,” Wallang added.
Sunamganj Sadar UNO Shafayet Mahbub Chowdhury said 300 Bangladeshi people have already been given their passes.
“One pass is allowed for $50 and we have entrusted Janata Bank here while the Indians has authorised United Bank of India to oversee transactions.”
Items like clothes, chicken, chanachur, juice, confectionary items, fruits, betel leaf and betel nuts, and bamboo-made materials are allowed to be traded at the haat.
A buyer will be able to shop goods worth up to $50 on each market day.
Indian vendor Jyotish Paul expects good business on both sides. “More than 50 villages under a five kilometre radius will benefit from this international haat.”
Hakarlin Sanglyne, another vendor from Meghalaya, also expects good business as there is high demand for Indian spices. She was selling ginger, cumin, fruits, bread and cakes.
Moksud Miah, a vendor from nearby Konapara, said, “We are keen on selling clothes of any quantity that is allowed under law at the border haat.”
He was seen selling T-shirts and trousers. The number of haat days needs to be raised, he added.
Nanu Miah, another vendor, said he is happy with the response on the first day. There may be good business in future too as the Meghalayan people have shown interest in Bangladeshi readymade clothes, Nanu added.
Jonathan Dhar, director for information and public relations of Meghalaya State, said the haat would play a key role in small businesses on both sides, in addition to raising mutual understanding.
There are a good number of people from India and Bangladesh who are keen on selling their local produces like vegetables, fish and others, he added.
Indian indigenous leaders have also pressed for opening of more such haats to improve the livelihood of the people living in those regions, he said.
The haat will sit on Tuesdays from 10:30am to 5:00pm and from 9:30am to 4:00pm from November to March during winter.