Bangladesh has imported 6,520.21 metric tonnes (MT) of rice from India through the Bhomra Land Port in Satkhira over the past eight days, a move authorities hope will help stabilize the country's rice market. The import process began on November 13, following the National Board of Revenue's (NBR) decision to lift customs duties on rice imports. Sources from the port authority have confirmed that since the duty exemption, 12 companies authorized by the Ministry of Food have commenced rice imports through Bhomra.
Among the recent imports, Dhaka-based Old Paltan Majumdar Agrotech International brought in approximately 1,861.47 MT of rice through four shipments. These included 770 MT on November 13, 368.5 MT on November 16, 380.97 MT on November 17, and 342 MT on November 18.
Mukul Enterprise from Kalai in Satkhira imported 300 MT in three shipments—100 MT each on November 13, 14, and 17. Ismail Hossain Milon from Jhikargacha in Jashore imported 100 MT on November 13, while Abul Monsur Khan from Bogura brought in a total of 500 MT across three separate dates: 150 MT on November 14 and 16, and 200 MT on November 18.
Abu Musa, the general secretary of the Bhomra Customs C&F Agents Association, noted that the Indian government had imposed a ban on rice exports to Bangladesh on July 20, 2023.
Musa also mentioned that India had recently lifted the ban on rice exports to Bangladesh.
Abul Kalam Azad, Deputy Commissioner of Bhomra Land Customs Station, confirmed that 6,520.21 MT of rice had been imported from India through the port over the past eight days, starting from November 13. He added that if this trend continues, rice imports through the port are expected to increase in the future.
(Source: UNB)
BD-Pratidin English/Mazdud
