The New Nation - Internet Edition

AS reported recently in the media, Bangladesh's export to the SAARC-member nations and Myanmar have declined by nearly 20 per cent over the year, despite claim of making efforts to boost exports to the neighbouring countries. The latest evaluation report of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) reveals that only 2.53 per cent of Bangladesh's exports went to the neighbouring markets in fiscal 2008-09. Bangladesh's neighbours, on the other hand, bought only 3.32 per cent of the country's merchandise during the period. Bangladesh's total exports stood at US$ 15,565 million, but export earnings from SAARC countries and Myanmar was only a meagre US$ 393 million in the previous fiscal.

Bangladesh's exports to India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Myanmar declined as a whole while exports to Nepal, the Maldives and Afghanistan, a new entrant to SAARC, increased, though not significantly as the latest EPB report recorded. According to exporters here, they still face 'para-tariff barriers' in India though there are 'great potentials' of buying garment from Bangladesh. A symbolic duty-free access to India for garment from Bangladesh as announced two years ago, undoubtedly, created wide expectations. But 'whimsical delays' in giving clearance to garment consignments in Indian ports and imposition of 17 per cent 'internal tax' have discouraged exporters.

Export performance of the country, so far with the South Asian regional countries is disappointing though they are in a regional forum for cooperation. The call for cooperation by the member-nations for well-being of the peoples of this region remains a distant cry. India being the biggest partner in the region, obviously, would have to play pivotal role in leading the regional and bilateral trade to a success. Although infrastructural and non-tariff barriers are there, efforts should be made both at public and private levels to attract importers.