The row over the Indian Premier League (IPL) has had no negative impacts on Bangladesh-India trade ties, Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin has said, adding that bilateral business activities are continuing as usual.
Bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India have once again heated up recently after Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman dropped from the Indian franchise cricket league.
Bangladesh’s relations with its neighbouring country since the ousting of Sheikh Hasina’s government through un uprising on August 05 in 2024. Since then, both the sides have taken tit for tat measures.
Responding to journalists after a meeting at the Secretariat on the new Import Policy Order on Sunday, the adviser said Bangladesh believes in liberal trade with all countries and does not take country-specific bilateral decisions unless domestic trade is disrupted.
“We believe in liberal trade. Our liberal trade activities are in place with countries across the world. As long as our internal trade is not affected, we do not take country-specific bilateral decisions,” he said.
Referring to trade measures taken with India, Sheikh Bashir Uddin said the government is reviewing whether those steps have had any impact, but clarified that the IPL issue would not affect commercial relations between the two countries.
He acknowledged that export earnings have declined somewhat recently and that there are certain challenges in liberal trade. However, he said a trade agreement with the United States is at its final stage.
The adviser also announced that a meeting involving relevant stakeholders will be held at the Secretariat on January 19 to ensure price stability of essential commodities ahead of the upcoming Ramadan.
Major changes coming in Import Policy Order
The adviser said the Ministry of Commerce has prepared a draft of a new Import Policy Order (IPO) by introducing significant changes to the existing Import Policy Order 2021–24, with a focus on trade facilitation and liberalisation.
“We are trying to bring major changes to the import IPO. Once the proposals are finalised through the Cabinet, the details will be shared. Overall, we are working to liberalise and simplify the import policy order,” he said.
He said a meeting was held on Sunday with Bangladesh Bank and other stakeholders, adding that efforts are underway to place the draft before the Cabinet soon. “If it is not placed in the upcoming Cabinet meeting, it will be placed in the following one,” he added.
Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman said changes are being made across various sections of the trade policy to ease business operations. “As you know, we are aiming to facilitate trade. Bangladesh has also signed the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement, and accordingly, amendments are being introduced at different levels to make trade and commerce easier,” he said.
Earlier, the commerce secretary said routine developments generally do not have a significant impact on bilateral trade. However, he noted that India’s decision in May last year to close several land ports and halt imports from Bangladesh had affected export flows.
“Despite this, we have not taken any countermeasures,” he said.
On the issue of restricting jute exports to India, Mahbubur Rahman said the move was taken solely to ensure adequate domestic supply and market stability. “No decision was taken to harm another country. Our policies are centred on protecting domestic trade, not on creating difficulties for others,” he added.