Bangladesh anticipates the arrival of a substantial onion consignment, totaling 50,000 tons, imported from India, with shipments expected to commence within the next two to three days, revealed State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu.
Addressing attendees at a seminar organized by the International Business Forum of Bangladesh, focused on the “Impact of syndicates and competition on the price of essentials,” Minister Titu assured that India’s recent embargo on onion exports would not impede the agreed-upon deal with Bangladesh.
Detailing the logistics, Titu mentioned that the onions have already embarked on trains bound for Bangladesh via the Darshana route, and are slated to arrive within the specified timeframe.
Notably, the Indian government has granted exemptions to Bangladesh and five other friendly nations from the recent export ban on onions, allocating a substantial portion of the exemption quota to Bangladesh. Out of the 54,000 tons earmarked for export under this exemption, a staggering 50,000 tons are designated for Bangladesh.
Minister Titu acknowledged the challenges posed by market disruptions, citing natural disasters, pandemics, and global conflicts as significant factors. However, he assured that the government remains vigilant and takes necessary actions to address any unscrupulous market behavior.
Furthermore, he underscored the government’s commitment to supporting vulnerable populations amidst market volatility, citing initiatives such as the TCB’s family card program benefiting 10 million families.
Looking ahead, Titu emphasized the importance of enhancing the supply chain, ensuring proper agricultural produce storage, and promoting agro-processing. Additionally, he advocated for expanding digital transactions to curb market manipulation effectively.
