Earlier, rice import from India through Benapole port was stopped since November 2022 as 62 per cent tax was imposed to discourage rice import.

Tribune Desk

After the tax was withdrawn,1,655 tons of rice were imported from India through Benapole land port in the last 17 days. Rice import resumed on November 17 after 2 years.

Abdul Gani, revenue officer of the cargo branch of Benapole Customs Building, confirmed the matter on Thursday afternoon. He said: “Importers Mahbubul Alam Food Products, Arko Trading and Sardar Enterprise imported the rice from India through Benapole port.”

Abdul Gani also said: “On Thursday morning, 210 metric tonnes of rice were imported in six lorries. From November 17 to December 5, 10 am, 1,655 tons of rice was imported in 49 lorries.”

On November 17, in a letter signed by Lutfar Rahman, the Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Food, 92 importing companies were allowed to import rice privately. They have been given permission to import 273,000 tons of boiled rice and 119,000 tons of Atap rice from India. However, traders are doubtful whether everyone will be able to import rice, as all the imported rice must be sold by December 10. There are five days remaining.

Hemanta Kumar Sarkar, deputy assistant of the Plant Quarantine Centre of Benapole Land Port, said: “The Indian government banned the export of boiled and non-boiled rice from July 20, 2023. Earlier, rice import from the neighbouring country through Benapole port was stopped since November 2022. At that time, 62% tax was imposed to discourage rice import. Since then, no rice has been imported through the Benapole land port.

Rice imports resumed after the tax was withdrawn. From November 17 to December 5, 10 am, 1,655 tons of rice were imported from India.

Published Date: December 5, 2024