Aimed at facilitating trade, commerce and goodwill between residents across the Indo-Bangladesh International border, the Balat ‘border haat’, was reopened on Tuesday. Local MLA Pynshngainlang Syiem from Mawsynram together with Manish Chakma, Additional District Commissioner, Sunamganj district of Bangladesh formally inaugurated the traditional market. The Balat-Dalora border haat, in East Khasi Hills district adjacent to Bangladesh’s Sunamganj district, is the second one to be reopened between the two countries in Meghalaya sector. More than 50 villages under five km radius from the haat on both sides of the border will stand benefitted from the international haat. Local tribal leaders have also pressed for opening of more such ‘haats’ to improve the livelihood of the people living at the edge of the country. The commodities sold in the designated Border Haats are exempted from the payment of Customs duties. Commodities are allowed to be exchanged in the designated Border Haats in local currency or on barter basis.