What is the primary purpose of the trial movement of vessels between Maia Port in India and Sultanganj Port in Bangladesh?

•    To boost trade and connectivity between India and Bangladesh, the first trial movement of vessels between Maia Port in India and Sultanganj Port in Bangladesh is set to take place on February 12, 2024. •    The vessels will be flagged off by the Minister of State for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Shantanu Thakur, from Maia Inland Customs Port in West Bengal. •    The waterway route from Maia (IBP route) to Dhubri (NW-2) via Aricha will reduce the distance by around 930 kilometers compared to the existing waterway route from Dhulian-Maia-Kolkata-IBP-Dhubri. •    With this move, 2.6 MTPA of export cargo to Bangladesh is expected to shift from road to waterways. Learn Along: •  H.E. Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, paid a State Visit to India from 05-08 September 2022 at the invitation of Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi. •  During the visit,the two sides also agreed to expeditiously explore direct shipping links between the two countries. •  They also agreed to implement the decision to start riverine services under the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT) routes 5 & 6 (Dhulian to Rajshahi -extension to Aricha) and 9 & 10 (Daudkandi to Sonamura). About Bangladesh Capital: Dhaka                         Currency: Taka