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Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi on Friday called upon the Indian government to speed up the implementation of the proposed process for supplying essential goods from India to Bangladesh.
He made the call at a meeting with his Indian counterpart held in India’s Jaipur on Friday on the sidelines of the G20 Trade and Investment Ministers' meeting, said a press release.
In the bilateral meeting with Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, the commerce minister expressed satisfaction with the progress in the procurement process for the supply of essential goods from India.
He also extended his support for the proposed arrangements aiming for its quick implementation and cited the adverse impact of 40 per cent export duty on onions imposed by India.
Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal reiterated India's commitment to collaborate closely with Bangladesh to address the challenges stemming from disruptions in global production, supply shortages, and rising commodity prices.
“Adverse weather conditions and food inflation had also led to agricultural production shortage in India, prompting the government to take necessary measures. I assured Bangladesh that these issues are being addressed and the crisis will be resolved shortly,” Piyush said.
He pledged India's intention to revoke the anti-dumping duty on jute products from Bangladesh, assuring utmost consideration. Besides, he emphasised on resolving other bilateral issues in the joint working group meeting within the next two months.
Later, Tipu Munshi held a bilateral meeting with Saudi Arabia's Commerce Minister Majid bin Abdullah Al Qasabi.
At the meeting, the commerce minister urged all G20 members to support the countries on the graduation track, including Bangladesh, in continuing duty-free and quota-free market facility applicable to LDC countries after 2026.
He also requested the ministers of the G20 countries to take a decision on behalf of the LDC transition countries at the upcoming 13th World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference (MC13).
