Shillong, Nov 5: Meghalaya chief minister, Conrad Kongkal Sangma visited Jaiñtiapur in Sylhet district of Bangladesh as he led delegation to the neighbouring country to explore business opportunities and further the ties between Meghalaya and Bangladesh.
In Sylhet, the Chief Minister who was accompanied by Transport minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, Education minister Lahkmen Rymbui, and Agriculture minister Banteidor Lyngdoh, senior officials, entrepreneurs and tour operators, held a meeting with representatives of the Sylhet Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
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The Chief Minister along with the team is in Bangladesh for four days (November 5 to 8).
The delegation visited some of the ruined places and monuments at Jaiñtiapur and interacted with the local people there and Bangladeshi officials.
Jaiñtiapur kingdom derived the name from the Pnar people in Jaiñtia Hills of Meghalaya.
Jaiñtiapur has some attractions including temples, palace and monuments, but they are all ruined and in dilapidated conditions.
At the meeting, the Chief Minister said that there has been historical and cultural ties between Meghalaya and Bangladesh, but yet to figure out how to improve the ties.
“There is a gap somewhere as well as areas which we have not been able to pay attention to. There are many areas which are low hanging fruits as we called it, but meetings like these could help us find solution,†he said.
The Chief Minister said that Meghalaya and the government of India have been very serious about the relations and future with Bangladesh.
“We see great opportunities and we want to be here to ensure that we create an environment and ecosystem where there is a win-win situation for all of us,†he said.
The Chief Minister also talked about the potential of tourism in which people from Bangladesh visited tourist spots like Shnong Pdeng and Dawki in Meghalaya and go back to Bangladesh after spending their time in the area.
He also called for exploring business opportunities between entrepreneurs from Meghalaya and those from Bangladesh.