Sand, chalk powder sent instead of soda ash from Iran
Monday, 22 December 2008
Our Correspondent
CHITTAGONG, Dec 21: Centering the arrival of the imported consignment of sands, chalk powder instead of the declared soda ash from Tehran, concerned quarters including the importer and the banks are now quite in a fix.
Importer QMM Trading Corporation accused concerned Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) company which has allegedly deceived the importer through submitting false report in collaboration with the Iranian exporting firm Persia Inovectors Commercial Corporation.
Sources informed that Chittagong EPZ-adjoining QMM Trading Corporation came into an agreement with the Iranian organisation for importing soda ash involving Tk 35 million (3.5 crore) and necessary LC was opened early in this year.
Accordingly, consignment of 1046 metric tonnes of goods arrived at Chittagong Port in mid-November. The consignment of 48 containers were cleared after necessary formalities.
As per the PSI report, the imported containers were stated to contain soda ash. But, after clearing the goods confusion arose on genuineness of the expected item of goods and the PSI company was informed of the matter immediately.
Managing Partner of QMM Trading Mazharul Hoque told the FE that the PSI company advised them to depute independent surveyor to draw sample of content for getting test in competent laboratories.
Subsequently, the test was done at Bangladesh Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR) and the test report showed that it was not soda ash rather a mixture of chalk powder, sand and other materials.
CHITTAGONG, Dec 21: Centering the arrival of the imported consignment of sands, chalk powder instead of the declared soda ash from Tehran, concerned quarters including the importer and the banks are now quite in a fix.
Importer QMM Trading Corporation accused concerned Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) company which has allegedly deceived the importer through submitting false report in collaboration with the Iranian exporting firm Persia Inovectors Commercial Corporation.
Sources informed that Chittagong EPZ-adjoining QMM Trading Corporation came into an agreement with the Iranian organisation for importing soda ash involving Tk 35 million (3.5 crore) and necessary LC was opened early in this year.
Accordingly, consignment of 1046 metric tonnes of goods arrived at Chittagong Port in mid-November. The consignment of 48 containers were cleared after necessary formalities.
As per the PSI report, the imported containers were stated to contain soda ash. But, after clearing the goods confusion arose on genuineness of the expected item of goods and the PSI company was informed of the matter immediately.
Managing Partner of QMM Trading Mazharul Hoque told the FE that the PSI company advised them to depute independent surveyor to draw sample of content for getting test in competent laboratories.
Subsequently, the test was done at Bangladesh Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR) and the test report showed that it was not soda ash rather a mixture of chalk powder, sand and other materials.