India ready to transport rice in 15 days: Sharma
Indian Commerce Minister Anand Sharma yesterday said they are ready to export three lakh metric tons of coarse rice to Bangladesh in two weeks.
“It's now a matter of shipment as the legal battle in India regarding rice export to Bangladesh is over,” Sharma told BSS after a meeting with Food Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque at Sonargaon Hotel.
Sharma, who also held talks with several other ministers in Dhaka, said the rice from India could reach even within seven days if Bangladesh wants. “We are very much sincere to fulfill our commitment,” he added.
Dr Razzaque said the first shipment of rice import from India would take place 'anytime' as India finally cleared the 'intent' to export rice to Bangladesh. He said the government would also import rice from Vietnam and Thailand in order to ensure food security and price stability.
Food ministry sources said India committed in December last year to export five lakh metric tons of foodgrains, including three lakh metric tons of rice and 2 lakh metric tons of wheat, and signed an agreement in January this year. But none of the cereal was transported to Bangladesh, despite repeated reminding from importing nation.
Sharma said the export was stuck up in legal glitch as some of Indian private suppliers sued against Indian government's decision to exclude them from the export. The ordeal has, however, been over recently.
Official sources said Bangladesh wanted to import the rice much ahead of its major harvest, Boro, which begins shortly, and ensure enough supply of the staple, rice, in the market to offset the trend of price escalation. The rice from India is supposed to cost Tk 31.22 per kilogram and $446 per metric ton.
Bangladesh produces 3.55 crore metric tons of rice -- 1.9 crore metric tons of Boro, 1.35 crore metric tons of Aman and 0.35 crore metric tons of Aus -- and 10 lakh metric tons of wheat a year.
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