Bangladeshi exports to India witnessed a healthy rise from $498.4 million in 2011-12 fiscal to $563.9 million in 2012-13. According to the latest figures released by the Bangladesh Export Promotion Bureau, this marks an increase of 13.15 per cent over the previous year, and is the highest ever level of exports from Bangladesh to India. India had announced duty-free, quota-free access to 46 textile tariff lines of greatest sensitivity to Bangladesh on September 6, 2011, according to a press release.
Subsequently, India granted duty-free, quota-free access to all items except 25 tariff lines consisting of tobacco, spirits and alcohol to Bangladesh with effect from November 9, 2011.
Bangladesh is currently India’s largest trading partner among the SAARC countries.
Readymade garment exports from Bangladesh to India have seen a significant jump.
Item-wise break-up of Bangladeshi exports to India reveal that textile fibres, paper yarn, and woven fabric constitute 23.74 per cent of the exports followed by other man made textile articles which constitute 13.8 per cent.
Other items which contribute significantly to the export volumes include edible fruit, nuts peel of citrus fruit, melons (11.9 per cent), articles of apparel, accessories (10.79 per cent) cotton (4.58 per cent) and copper and copper articles (4.37 per cent).
Initiatives for improving facilities along the land border, including
development of seven integrated check posts, improvement of infrastructure at the identified land ports/land customs stations and opening of border haats will further contribute to facilitating trade in both directions between the two countries, said the press release.
-With BSS/New Age input
