Bangladesh's trade deficit with India from 2001-02 to 2007-08 fiscal years was over US$ 12.278 billion, reports BSS.

Commerce Minister Muhammad Faruq Khan said this in the parliament Monday in reply to a question, raised by treasury bench member Mohammad Israfil Alam.

He said the country's trade deficit with India was $968.71 million in 2001-02, $1,274.18 million in 2002- 03, $1,513.23 million in 2003-04, $1,881.59 million in 2004-05, $1,626.04 million in 2005-06, $1,979.59 million in 2006-07 and $3,034.92 million in 2007-08.

"The government has undertaken different steps to reduce the trade deficit with India," he said. The measures include initiatives to export more duty-free commodities to India under the South Asia Free Trade Arrangement, formation of joint-secretary level Joint Working Group on Trade for removal of non-tariff barrier, and steps for development of physical infrastructure of land customs stations and road infrastructure to expand land trade between the two countries.

Besides, the commerce minister said initiatives have been taken to accept the BSTI-issued certificates by India.

To familiarise the Bangladeshi products in India, he said arrangements have been made for regular participation of Bangladeshi exporters in different international trade fairs in Delhi, Kolkata and India's north-eastern states.