BSS, Sangsad Bhaban :
Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed Tuesday told the Jatiya Sangsad that a total of 37 countries, including 27 member states of the European Union (EU), are giving duty free market access to Bangladesh products.
Replying to a scripted question from treasury bench member Md Sohrab Uddin, the commerce minister said India has given duty and quota free market access to all Bangladesh products except 25 tobacco and drug items under SAFTA.
Bangladeshi products that are getting duty free market access include readymade garments, knitwear items, frozen shrimp, ceramics, plastic products, leather and jute products, home textiles, bicycles and pharmaceuticals items, said the commerce minister.
The government has been trying to get duty free market access to more countries, including Russia, Egypt and Malaysia, Tofail said, adding that no steps has so far been taken to restrict import of goods from Pakistan.
Responding to another question from treasury bench member Didarul Alam, the commerce minister said the government is giving cash incentive to a total of 15 products for the fiscal year 2013-2014.
The government is also providing exporters various facilities to participate in international trade fairs for diversification and strengthening of country’s export market, he said, adding that the government has been sending trade delegations to different countries in Africa and Latin America to explore market for Bangladesh products.
He said the government has also taken steps to set up Joint Economic Commission and sign Bilateral Trade Agreement with different countries to boost export from Bangladesh.
The amount of US$60 million Export Development Fund has been increased to $500 million and exporters are now getting financial support from this fund at low interest rates for the import of raw materials at competitive prices from international market, he added.
