4,000mts of imported rice enter country thru Benapole
UNB
Some 4,000 tonnes of imported rice were released from Benapole land port since Thursday evening following the duty cut on imported rice, reports UNB. Earlier, importers had stopped taking the delivery of 5,000 tonnes of rice seeking a gazette notification on relaxation of duty on imported rice. Some 250 trucks carrying the imported rice had got stranded at the port till August 16 as the importers refrained from taking the rice delivery. Besides, 500 more rice-laden trucks remained stuck at Petrapole port in India to enter Benapole.
The government then on August 16 cut the import duty on rice from 10 percent to 2 percent to replenish the stock of the staple food item and keep its prices stable.
Earlier, importers started importing rice from neighbouring India after the government cut 18 percent tax from the existing duty from June 20 considering its growing price.
The rice import through Benapole has, in fact, increased following the decision to keep the land port open round the clock from August in a bid to expedite trade activities with India.
M Shawkat Hossian, Commissioner at Benapole Customs House, said, Weve received a letter from the National Board of Revenue (NBR) on the relaxation of duty on imported rice on Thursday afternoon. Then we ordered the release of the imported rice.
