Bangladesh’s Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin has stated that India’s recent import ban through land ports is unlikely to significantly affect Bangladesh’s new export target for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
Addressing a press conference at the commerce ministry in Dhaka, Uddin highlighted that India already holds a substantial trade surplus with Bangladesh. He also pointed out that Bangladesh’s apparel exports far exceed India’s exports of products like jute, suggesting minimal impact from the ban.
The adviser confirmed that the Bangladeshi Government had sent a letter to India’s commerce minister, seeking bilateral talks to enhance trade relations, though no response has been received yet.
India announced on Monday a ban on the entry of certain jute products, including sacks and bags, via land ports with immediate effect. However, imports of these items will still be permitted through the Nhava Sheva seaport in Maharashtra.
Uddin emphasised that Bangladesh’s export target for the upcoming fiscal year is conservative but achievable, expressing confidence that performance could surpass expectations. He also noted ongoing negotiations with the United States to reduce tariffs and non-tariff barriers, aiming to lower duties from 20% to 15% or less.
He acknowledged that while recent high growth was driven by diversification efforts within the economy, challenges such as energy shortages, banking sector issues, and customs bottlenecks remain hurdles to sustained progress.
The adviser reaffirmed Bangladesh’s optimism about meeting its FY ’26 export goals, contingent on resolving these domestic issues.
