Written by The Banking Post
India’s recent ban on importing certain Bangladeshi jute products through land ports is unlikely to dent Bangladesh’s new export target for FY26, Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin said on Tuesday.
Speaking at a press briefing at the commerce ministry, Bashir noted that India already runs a significant trade surplus with Bangladesh, while Bangladesh’s apparel exports to India far outweigh India’s exports of jute and other goods to Bangladesh.
He confirmed that his ministry has written to India’s commerce minister seeking bilateral trade talks but has yet to receive a response. “We have set the target conservatively, but we believe we can do better,” he said.
India’s ban, imposed on Monday, restricts imports of jute sacks, bags, and other categories from Bangladesh through land ports, allowing entry only via the Nhava Sheva seaport in Maharashtra.
On agricultural trade, particularly onions, the adviser said Bangladesh has not imported the crop for some time due to strong domestic output, though small imports may be considered if necessary.
Bashir also addressed ongoing discussions with the United States on reducing tariffs and non-tariff barriers, aiming to cut duties from 20% to 15% or lower. Many food items, he said, already face tariffs of 0–1%.
He stressed that FY26’s export target is both realistic and achievable, but performance could surpass expectations if domestic bottlenecks—such as energy shortages, banking sector constraints, and customs inefficiencies—are resolved. Diversification within garments and expansion into non-traditional products, he added, will be key to sustaining growth.
