She observed that the 'so-called' para-tariff or non-tariff barriers (on both sides) are often based on "nothing but mis-perceptions, bureaucratic delays and inept handling of problems as and when they arise."

"It is crucially important that these issues be resolved quickly and amicably, through regular and frequent dialogue between our respective commerce ministries at all levels," the Indian envoy suggested.

Sikri was speaking at the inauguration of a two-day 'buyer-seller meet' of Bangladesh and Indian businesspeople, hosted by National Association of Small and Cottage Industries of Bangladesh (NASCIB) in Dhaka.

A 21-member delegation from the Federation of Associations of Cottage and Small Industries (FACSI), West Bengal is participating in the meet.

The Indian high commissioner said there is a direct relationship between the price hike of essential commodities and the restrictions imposed on import of these items through the frontier land customs stations in Bangladesh.

"If these restrictions are lifted, the resulting imports from India would provide a win-win situation for both Bangladesh and India," she said. "Such restrictions also adversely affect small and medium entrepreneurs."

Sikri, however, said India offers preferential tariff on over 2,000 items of export from Bangladesh, either bilaterally or under Sapta or Bangkok Agreement.

"We offer duty-free imports from Bangladesh on 79 items. Almost 75 percent of items from Bangladesh avail these preferential or duty free tariffs."

She said a Bangladesh-India bilateral FTA (free trade agreement), proposed by India, would provide better, faster and more specific access to the Indian market, compared to similar deals within Safta or BIMSTEC.

Citing an example, Sikri said Sri Lankan exports to India grew by over 137 percent in just one year after signing an FTA with India. "Bangladesh's FTA with India will surely help in adding new items of exports to India," she hoped.

"Bangladeshi exporters to India can and must take full advantage of the benefits."

FBCCI or even Bangladesh government could undertake jointly efforts with their Indian counterparts to survey Indian market with a view to identifying commodities or items (of Bangladesh) with significant export potential for India, she opined.

The buyer-seller meet has been organised at Scout Bhaban in Dhaka to identify potential sectors for setting up joint venture industries especially small and cottage industries.

The Indian entrepreneurs are attending the meet to promote their electronic items, jute goods, machinery, plastic goods, textile and chemical items in Bangladesh market.

Speaking at the inaugural function, Advisor to the Ministry of Commerce Barkat Ullah Bulu said the buyer-seller meet initiated by the NASCI and FACSI will achieve their desired goal in bringing economic benefits for both the countries.

FACSI President Debabrata Ghosh, NASCIB President Mirza Nurul Ghani Shovon and Vice-president Masuda M Rashid Chowdhury also spoke at the inaugural function.