Nanak urges India to lift anti-dumping duty on jute products

Jahangir Kabir Nanak, the Textiles and Jute Minister, urged India to lift the anti-dumping duty on jute products.

He made the request when Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma called on him on Tuesday at his office at the secretariat in the capital, a press release said.

Textiles and Jute Secretary Md Abdur Rauf, Director General of the Department of Textiles Md Nuruzzaman, Executive Director of Jute Diversification Promotion Centre (JDPC) Syeda Farhana Kawnine, Political Counsellor of Indian Embassy in Dhaka Pawan Badhe and First Secretary at High Commission of India in Dhaka Pratik Negi were present on the occasion, the release added.

The minister emphasized the need to enhance mutual cooperation in the silk industry, suggesting that the Bangladesh Silk Development Board and the Central Silk Board of India collaborate to advance silk product development collectively.

Speaking to the media following the meeting with the Indian envoy, Nanak stated that several bilateral matters, such as simplifying India's visa procedures, were addressed during the discussion.

India has shown keen interest to invest in three jute mills in Bangladesh, he added.

About BNP, the AL leader said BNP has no chance to gain political advantage over the issue of boycotting Indian products.

“If imported vegetables from India are cheaper in our country, people will opt for them. Political agendas won't override economic realities. BNP's campaign won't gain traction with this approach," he added.

Replying to another query over the visit of US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu, he said Lu is visiting Dhaka to strengthen relations with the government.

He concluded by affirming that the government has consistently enjoyed a positive relationship with the United States.