The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Benapole

India in a surprised move has raised export price of rice to Bangladesh to US$ 500 per ton, equivalent to Tk 35kg, rendering the import from the neighbouring country uncertain.

Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) of Indian Commerce Ministry in a notification that came into force on Sunday said no rice can be exported to Bangladesh at price less than US$ 500 per ton.

Customs officials at the Benapole land port told UNB that India jacked up the rice export price for the third time during this year - first in February to 315 dollars, the second in October to 425 dollars and now to 500 dollars per ton.

No consignment of rice purchased under L/Cs at previous price was allowed to pass through the Petrapole land port. Barely 1,000 tons for which L/C was opened before October and the Indian authorities agreed to release arrived at Benapole port today.

Importers declined to open fresh L/C for import of rice at the abnormal high price. They estimated that the landing cost of Indian rice at the enhanced price would come to around Tk 38 or 39 per kilogram.

Mohammad Nasiruddin of Kazi Enterprise at Jessore, a rice importer, viewed the Indian action as "an indirect pressure upon Bangladesh". He said exporters in Burdwan, West Bengal, informed him that they could easily sell quality rice to Bangladesh at 450 dollars per ton.

A senior customs official said no consignment of five lakh tons of rice Indian pledged to sell has arrived till today. Indian External Affairs Minister Pranob Mukherjee visiting Bangladesh in the wake of November 15 devastating cyclone had committed that his government would sell 5 lakh tons of rice to Bangladesh as a gesture of goodwill.