Dhaka, Mar 09: Buoyed by the recent raise in export of cement to India, Dhaka has said it would ask New Delhi to remove the non-tariff barrier on the product.
Bangladesh government would press for the removal of the non-tariff barrier during the forthcoming Indo-Bangla commerce secretary level talks to be held in New Delhi, to reduce the increasing trade gap between the neighbours, 'Prothom Alo' daily quoted an official as saying.
Business and trade circles in Bangladesh are of the view that export of cement to India, especially to the eastern part, could work as a great catalyst as this would help in overcoming the unrest faced by the industry, the 'Jankantha' newspaper said here.
North Eastern states of India has an annual demand of 50 lakh tonnes of cement, it added.
Geographical proximity of Bangladesh with the eastern Indian states offers huge prospect for such trade. The view got a solid support with the start of export of cement to Tripura by a major cement producer on Friday, the daily star reported.
Meghna Cement Mills Ltd, a venture of the Bashundara group had shipped its first consignment of king brand cement through Akhaura Land Port on Friday to become the third company to export cement to India.
"If Indian government includes cement in their SAPTA supported special duty list items, Bangladesh can export cement at lower prices to Indian market" the star quoted one official of the exporting company as saying.
Bureau Report
