‘Diversify exports for utilising duty-free access to India’

Speakers at a dialogue in Dhaka on Tuesday stressed the need for the diversification of exportable items and creating an investment-friendly environment for the maximum utilisation of duty-free access facility to the Indian market. They said Bangladesh lacks exportable items, which is the major problem in enhancing its export to the neighbouring country. Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), a civil society think tank, organised the dialogue at a city hotel on taking advantage of Indian market access initiative through promotion of trade facilities. However, a study conducted by CPD suggested that land ports and infrastructure should be modernised with a view to maximising the benefits of duty-free access to Indian market. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam spoke as the chief guest at the dialogue held with CPD chairman Prof Rehman Sobhan in the chair, according to a news agency.