131MT rice imported from India through Hili Land Port to Bangladesh
Three trucks carrying 131 metric tonnes of rice entered Bangladesh from India through the Hili land port on Monday, marking the first rice import in 20 months following the government’s decision to lift the import duty on rice. The duty was removed on October 31 to stabilize rice prices and boost domestic stock. Five importers have received permission to bring in 33,000 metric tonnes under Letters of Credit, with the import cost approximately Tk 53-54 per kg. This move aligns with government policy to stabilize local rice prices.
Three trucks carrying 131 metric tonnes of rice entered Bangladesh from India through the Hili land port on Monday, following the government lifting import duties on rice recently.
This marks the first rice consignment in the last 20 months after the government’s decision to remove the import duty.
Md Mostafizur Rahman, a Hili land port-based importer, said that the government lifted the duty on October 31 to stabilize rice prices and boost domestic stock.
Following this decision, importers quickly submitted the necessary documents to relevant ministries for rice import approval from India.
To date, five importers have received permission to bring in 33,000 metric tonnes of rice under Letters of Credit (LC) valued between USD 420 and USD 430 per tonne. According to Rahman, the import cost per kg is approximately Tk 53-54.
Lalit Keshra, owner of M/S Sairam International, noted that rice imports have commenced in alignment with government policy to help stabilize local prices.
Md Yusuf Ali, Deputy Assistant Officer at the Plant Quarantine Centre of Hili Land Port, said that rice imports had been suspended since March 30 of last year, when the government imposed a 62% import duty to discourage imports.
Source Link : https://unb.com.bd/category/Bangladesh/131mt-rice-imported-from-india-through-hili-land-port/146758