The New Nation - Internet Edition

Syful Islam

Country's 10 commercial wings and 28 diplomatic missions have failed to achieve export target during the July-September quarter of the current fiscal year, Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) sources said.

The missions and commercial wings which have failed to fulfill the targets include Washington, London, New Delhi and Seoul. Achievements of some of the wings and missions even declined by 70 per cent compared to the corresponding period of previous fiscal, sources said.

EPB sources said out of 44 diplomatic missions 28 could not achieve the export target during the July-September quarter. Commercial wings, entrusted to explore new markets and promoting Bangladeshi goods abroad, also failed to achieve the desired target. Out of 16 commercial missions 10 failed to achieve the target during the period. Of them 10 major missions had negative growth by 15.8 per cent.

Exporters said missions and wings officials always remain busy with protocol of very important persons (VIPs) who go abroad from Bangladesh. Besides, these officials always think about how to lead luxurious life. As a result exporters do not get minimum cooperation from these missions and wings officials to expand market and raise export.

EPB sources said of the missions abroad like New Delhi, Brussels, Berlin, London, Rome, Madrid, Tashkent Morocco, Paris, Amman, Brunei and some 17 other could not achieve export target. The New Delhi mission attained minus 30.38 per cent, Tashkent minus 45.10 per cent, London minus 15.21 per cent and Brunei minus 66.67 per cent during the July-September quarter compared with corresponding period of last fiscal.

Of the 16 commercial wings Washington's export earning during the first quarter of the present fiscal declined by 20.54 per cent, Paris by 5.59 per cent, London by 15.21 per cent, Moscow by 56.64 per cent, Berlin by 10.47 per cent, Brussels by 17.60 per cent and New Delhi by 30.38 per cent.

The commercial wings in Beijing, Tehran, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, Dubai, and Yangon have achieved target and some of those attained growth. The export targets for these wings are very poor. Export target for these wings were only US$50.14 crore.

EPB sources said country's overall export during the first quarter of this fiscal fell by 11.64 per cent with a total export of goods worth US$3870.64 million.

Commerce Ministry sources said despite repeated failures by missions and wings abroad no action was taken against the concerned officials. A meeting chaired by Commerce Secretary on May 26 last year took decision of taking actions against the missions and wings who failed to achieve target. Later, show cause notices were served, but no further actions were taken.

Commerce Secretary Firoz Ahmed said the ministry has already started to evaluate the performances of the missions and wings. He said none were performing their duty properly.