Nine items added to export list to Bangladesh from Tripura

Nine new items have been added to the list of export items to Bangladesh from Tripura, taking the total number of products to be shipped to the neighboring country to 30, official sources said.

In a notification issued Tuesday, the director of Industries and Commerce Department, Sandip R Rathore, said the nine approved items, including rice, dry fish and soyabean seeds, will be exported to the neighboring country through three land customs stations of the state. The state so far had been exporting 21 commodities to Bangladesh through eight land customs stations.

"While rice, betel leaves and dry fish would be exported through Srimantapur station in Sipahijala and Manughat station in South Tripura, rubber latex, bamboo-based products, broomstick, soyabean seeds, spare parts of CNG-run vehicles and maize would reach the neighboring country through Agartala-Akhaura International Check Post," he said.

Debashish Nandi, the manager of Agartala-Akhaura ICP, asserted that fish and other perishable organic items will go through several rounds of inspections before they are shipped to the neighboring country.

Welcoming the Bangladesh government's decision, Tripura Chamber of Commerce and Industries (TCCI) president ML Debnath said Tuesday the move would increase the export volume from Tripura. "We had imports worth Rs 300 crore from Bangladesh in the last financial year, but the value of total exports did not exceed Rs 80 lakh. Trade balance needs to be established along the Tripura-Bangladesh border," Debnath added.

Earlier in March, TCCI had proposed relaxing policy restrictions on a number of items for export to Bangladesh. The list was later amended following a series of discussions with Bangladesh government officials.