Bangladesh : Benapole sees 3,320 tons of duty-free rice imports in 25 days
Following the government’s removal of customs duties, rice imports from India through the Benapole land port in Jessore resumed on November 17, marking the end of a two-year hiatus. Over the 25-day period, 3,320 metric tons of rice were imported by 92 private importers, including companies like Mahbubul Alam Food Products and Orko Trading. The approval covered 392,000 metric tons, including 273,000 metric tons of parboiled rice and 119,000 metric tons of non-parboiled rice.
After the government announced the withdrawal of customs duties, 3,320 metric tons of rice were imported from India through the Benapole land port in Jessore over 25 days.
During this period, approval was granted to import 392,000 metric tons of rice.
Rice imports resumed on November 17 after a two-year hiatus, with Thursday being the final day.
Abu Taher, a revenue officer at the Benapole check post cargo branch, said that eight importing companies, including Mahbubul Alam Food Products, Orko Trading, and Sardar Enterprise, brought in the rice through the port.
He further said that the last three trucks carrying 105 metric tons of rice arrived by 10pm on Thursday.
From November 17 to Thursday, a total of 97 trucks transported 3,320 metric tons of rice.
A letter signed by Joint Secretary Lutfor Rahman from the Ministry of Food granted permission to 92 private importers to import rice.
The approval covered 273,000 metric tons of parboiled rice and 119,000 metric tons of atap (non-parboiled) rice.
However, many importers could not bring in the rice within this short timeframe, as the government had set a strict 25-day deadline for marketing the imported rice, which ended last Thursday.
Shyamal Kumar Nath, a deputy assistant officer at the Plant Quarantine Center of Benapole Land Port, explained that the Indian government had imposed a ban on exporting parboiled and atap rice on July 20, 2023.
Before that, rice imports through this port had been halted since November 2022.
At the time, a 62% customs duty was imposed to discourage rice imports.
After the government removed customs duties, rice imports through Benapole resumed on November 17.
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Source : Dhaka Tribune
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