Business-friendly import policy soon, says Faruk
Monday, 13 April 2009
FE Report
Commerce Minister Muhammad Faruk Khan said Sunday the government would formulate a business-friendly and time-befitting import policy for the next three years before the current one expires in June.
"The proposed import policy for the period of 2009-2012 will be more liberal and hassle-free so that it helps the importers compete in the competitive international market," he said while addressing a meeting of the consultative committee on import policy at a city hotel in the city.
The Ministry of Commerce organised the meeting to discuss various views, proposals and recommendations made by government and non-governmental organisations and divisions and trade bodies of the country. The meeting especially discussed some 35 to 40 proposals, which the consultative committee thinks needed elaborate discussion.
The ministry in October last invited suggestions from a total of 196 government and non-governmental organisations and divisions and which continued until the end of January this year. However, some suggestions have been received a couple of days ago.
Mr Khan said the ministry had so far received a total of 256 suggestions and recommendations. Of them, 140 recommendations came from 29 chambers or associations and 116 from 30 ministries or divisions.
The ministry critically scrutinised and evaluated those recommendations, the minister said in his opening speech.
"The objective of the import policy order is to revive and strengthen economy through supplying commodities to the consumers at fair price by eliminating commodity and service related barriers in compliance with international economic standard, promoting and flourishing export-oriented industry, creating congenial environment for investment and promoting and saving local industry."
"The policies formulated in the past did not take the views and suggestions of the stakeholders into consideration much. Even, in some cases orders were issued in secrecy which raised the question about the transparency of the orders," he said while presiding over the meeting.
"But the opinions, recommendations and suggestions of the stakeholders were given importance this time during formulating the draft import policy, which, I think, will help formulate a rich import policy."
The minister said steps to formulate a new import policy had been taken as the present import policy for the period of 2006-2009 expires on June 30.
In his concluding remark, the commerce minister said the new policy would simplify import of books and study materials to encourage knowledge-based industry, and would provide special assistance to import of computer and computers accessories to help build a 'Digital Bangladesh'.
"Special attention will be given to solar energy and effluent treatment plant in factories."
The minister, however, said that the new import policy would impose restriction on melamine-contaminated milk powder and other unethical goods such as explosives.
He said his ministry would organise small consultative committees with representatives from National Board of Revenue, Chief Controller of Imports and Exports, and Bangladesh Bank to hold issue-based separate discussions and finalise the draft.
Commerce Minister Muhammad Faruk Khan said Sunday the government would formulate a business-friendly and time-befitting import policy for the next three years before the current one expires in June.
"The proposed import policy for the period of 2009-2012 will be more liberal and hassle-free so that it helps the importers compete in the competitive international market," he said while addressing a meeting of the consultative committee on import policy at a city hotel in the city.
The Ministry of Commerce organised the meeting to discuss various views, proposals and recommendations made by government and non-governmental organisations and divisions and trade bodies of the country. The meeting especially discussed some 35 to 40 proposals, which the consultative committee thinks needed elaborate discussion.
The ministry in October last invited suggestions from a total of 196 government and non-governmental organisations and divisions and which continued until the end of January this year. However, some suggestions have been received a couple of days ago.
Mr Khan said the ministry had so far received a total of 256 suggestions and recommendations. Of them, 140 recommendations came from 29 chambers or associations and 116 from 30 ministries or divisions.
The ministry critically scrutinised and evaluated those recommendations, the minister said in his opening speech.
"The objective of the import policy order is to revive and strengthen economy through supplying commodities to the consumers at fair price by eliminating commodity and service related barriers in compliance with international economic standard, promoting and flourishing export-oriented industry, creating congenial environment for investment and promoting and saving local industry."
"The policies formulated in the past did not take the views and suggestions of the stakeholders into consideration much. Even, in some cases orders were issued in secrecy which raised the question about the transparency of the orders," he said while presiding over the meeting.
"But the opinions, recommendations and suggestions of the stakeholders were given importance this time during formulating the draft import policy, which, I think, will help formulate a rich import policy."
The minister said steps to formulate a new import policy had been taken as the present import policy for the period of 2006-2009 expires on June 30.
In his concluding remark, the commerce minister said the new policy would simplify import of books and study materials to encourage knowledge-based industry, and would provide special assistance to import of computer and computers accessories to help build a 'Digital Bangladesh'.
"Special attention will be given to solar energy and effluent treatment plant in factories."
The minister, however, said that the new import policy would impose restriction on melamine-contaminated milk powder and other unethical goods such as explosives.
He said his ministry would organise small consultative committees with representatives from National Board of Revenue, Chief Controller of Imports and Exports, and Bangladesh Bank to hold issue-based separate discussions and finalise the draft.