BSS, Dhaka
Import of raw materials and consumers goods increased significantly during the last July-December period indicating an upswing in the country’s economic activities.
According to Bangladesh Bank import data released recently, the volume of L/C opening for import of scrap vassals rose by 209 percent during the period, compared to the corresponding period of last year.
This was followed by iron and steel scrap products by 93.06 percent, fertilizer by 82.25 percent and sugar by 54.06 percent during the period.
The total value of imports against these L/Cs stood at US$ 11176.65 million, which is higher by 4.24 percent from the corresponding period of the previous year.
Meanwhile, prices of edible oil are on decline in the global market. The central bank’s import statistics said local business houses opened L/Cs worth US$ 415.28 millions during the period. It includes crude oil import for US$ 442.87 million, refined oil US$ 8.41million.
The import orders of rice stood at US$ 33.66 million, wheat at US$ 414.75 million, sugar at US$ 125.24 million and onion for US$ 93.84 million, during the period.
Import orders for fruits and vegetable stood at US$ 53.88 million, pulses at US$37.35 million, drugs, medicine US$ 33.62 million and milk food at US$ 55.21 million.
The period under review further saw the value of L/Cs for oil seeds stood at US$ 44.71 million, raw cotton and synthetic fiber at US$ 631.27 million and yarns at US$ 344.89 million.
Import documents were also opened for textile fabrics and accessories to the tune of US$ 1551.16 million and for raw materials of pharmaceuticals to US$ 127.20 million. A total of US$ 1445.26 million import order was placed during the period for chemical and chemical products. It includes L/Cs for fertilizer to the tune of US$ 866.54 million while LCs worth US$ 578.72 million for the remaining products.
Import order for petroleum, oil and lubricant were placed for US$ 1163.48 million, coal and coke 26.92 million, cement US$ 3.81 million, clinker and limestone US$ 100.82 million and CI sheets and such other products US$ 86.25 million.
However, the biggest order was placed during this period for import of scrap vassals worth US$ 486.18 million, followed by capital machinery import worth US$ 628.87 million. Import orders placed for various industrial machinery valued at US$ 865.11 million, paper and paper board at US$ 143.63 during the period from July-December 2008.
Import orders on some other major categories stood at US$ 2218.24 million, but the central bank L/C figures is not having the detailed about it.
Courtesy: thebangladeshtoday.com
