No sign of trade fallout with India, says Sk Bashir

Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin has said Bangladesh’s trade with India remains stable and unaffected by the recent IPL-related controversy. 

He noted that trade flows between the two neighbours are continuing as usual.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting on the new import policy order at the Secretariat on Sunday, January 11, he said Bangladesh maintains open trade relations with all countries and avoids abrupt bilateral decisions unless domestic trade is directly affected.

“Our trade regime is liberal, and we intend to keep it that way. We are reviewing the measures we have in place with India, but so far we do not see any adverse impact,” he said.

Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman echoed the adviser, saying day-to-day developments rarely influence bilateral trade. 

He pointed out that India had shut several land ports and halted certain imports from Bangladesh last May, which hurt Bangladesh’s export volumes, but Dhaka did not retaliate.

On the government’s move to restrict jute exports to India, he said the decision was taken to protect domestic supply and demand. 

“This was not meant to disadvantage any country. Our policy decisions focus on internal market needs, not on harming others,” he said.