Dhaka advised to urge Delhi to lift export ban on rice

FE Team | Published: November 07, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

FE Report
India requested Bangladesh Tuesday to submit a proposal formally to withdraw the Indian export ban on essential commodities especially rice.
An Indian delegation led by Joint Secretary Rajeev Kher made the request following Bangladesh's plea to remove the ban on export of these essential commodities at the fifth Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting on trade between the two countries, which concluded on the day.
Regarding the ban, the Indian delegation said the export ban on essential commodities of India is not aimed at any specific country.
The sharp rise in the domestic demand for such items following the recent flooding in India has forced the authorities concerned to impose the ban, the Indian delegation mentioned.
In the JWG meeting India also assured Bangladesh of recognising the quality certificates issued by Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) for the local products to facilitate their export to the Indian market.
Earlier in September an Indian team visited the BSTI to scrutinise the testing standard of this institution, commerce ministry sources said.
Some Bangladeshi products like leather, cement, fruits and processed foods would enjoy smooth access to Indian market due to this recognition, which will come into effect following a formal request from Bangladesh.
Following the Indian request to withdraw Bangladesh's ban on export of 'Hilsha' to the Indian market, the Bangladesh side clarified that the ban also was not aimed at any specific country.
India also gave assurance of granting zero tariff on about 101 Bangladeshi products from the sensitive list from January 2008 next in line with its commitment to allow duty-free access of products from the least developed countries (LDCs) including Bangladesh by 2007.
A sub-group comprising members from both Bangladesh and India has also been constituted in the JWG meeting to identify the potential land ports and land customs stations and recommend necessary action including development of port facilities to boost bilateral trade.
The group is expected to submit its report in next three months.
In the meeting the Bangladesh team led by Joint Secretary Abdul Wahab Mian also urged the Indian side to remove non-tariff barriers to Bangladeshi products like betel nuts, Jamdani saris, dry cell batteries and toiletries products.
The team also sought Indian cooperation in selling of Bangladeshi products at trade fairs and exhibitions held in India.
Both the sides sought smooth registration facilities for pharmaceutical products of their respective countries to facilitate export of such items.
Bangladesh urged the Indian side to improve infrastructure facilities at land customs stations and seek entry of its trucks carrying export items into the Indian territory on the border.