Govt taking all-out measures to keep garment exports, trade on track: Commerce Adviser

Commerce Adviser SK Bashir Uddin said the government is making every possible effort to maintain normal operations in ready-made garment exports and overall trade.

On June 29, 2020, India issued an order permitting the transshipment of Bangladeshi goods through its territory to third countries. However, in a recent development, India’s Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) revoked the order on Tuesday.

In response, the Ministry of Commerce held an emergency meeting on Wednesday (April 9) at the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) office in capital's Karwanbazar. After the meeting, Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin briefed the media.

He said, "This decision will not affect the export process to Nepal and Bhutan. However, the government is doing everything it can to keep the export of ready-made garments and overall trade stable. We will continue the process using the existing capacity of Dhaka and Sylhet airports. Steps will also be taken to increase our capabilities in other areas.”

"An inter-ministerial meeting will be held on Thursday to decide the next steps based on suggestions from other ministries," he added.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, India stated that goods-laden vehicles currently inside Indian territory via transshipment must leave as soon as possible.