Sugar, hilsa put in export basket

The government plans to put sugar and hilsa fish on the list of exportable goods in the new export policy. But a prior approval of the commerce ministry will be needed to export the items.

Rice, except the aromatic varieties, cannot be exported.

The cabinet committee on economic affairs yesterday approved the export policy for 2015-18, which will come into effect once Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gives it a go-ahead.

Private refineries along with the state-owned mills produce sugar more than the demand. If sugar is exported to European countries, exporters may get trade privileges, an official of the commerce ministry said.

There is a ban on export of hilsa now, although India has long been demanding that Bangladesh relax the restriction.

The demand and supply of hilsa will be taken into consideration before giving permission for export, the official said.

Raw leather and crocodile meat produced in farms on a commercial basis can also be exported with no-objection certificates from the environment and forest ministry.

In the new export policy, measures have been planned to increase exports to $60 billion by 2021. A monitoring committee will be formed to implement the policy.

An export cell will also be set up at the commerce ministry.

Garments, garment accessories, IT and IT-enabled services and ICT products have been given the highest priority.

In the policy, information technology, medicine, light engineering and shipbuilding have been identified as emerging sectors.

For the first time, tourism, architecture, engineering and consultancy services will be brought under the export policy and various privileges will be extended to the service providers. Paper, paper products, silk, handicrafts and handloom products have been included in the policy as items of the special development sector.

The government every year gives cash incentive to encourage export. The new export policy says fresh cash incentive will be given to the new products that have demand in international market.

Besides, a central warehouse and packing centre will be set up at Shyampur in Dhaka.