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B'desh urges India to scrap anti-dumping duties
Published : Saturday, 10 October, 2026 at 10:37 AM
Observer Online Report
Bangladesh has urged India to remove restrictions and non-tariff barriers on Bangladeshi exports through land ports, withdraw anti-dumping duties on jute products and PET film, and consider extending existing tariff benefits beyond the country's graduation from the least developed country (LDC) category.
The issues were among Bangladesh's key priorities at the 16th meeting of the Bangladesh-India Joint Working Group on Trade, which began in New Delhi on Thursday for a two-day session, according to a press release from the Ministry of Commerce.
The meeting is discussing ways to resolve bilateral trade barriers, improve land-port infrastructure and make regional cargo transportation more efficient. Both countries have placed proposals on the agenda to ease restrictions on exports and imports and improve cross-border connectivity.
Bangladesh has called for a review and withdrawal of restrictions on its exports through Indian land ports to facilitate access to the Indian market and protect the interests of domestic exporters. The two sides are also discussing tariff and non-tariff barriers and other trade-remedial measures affecting market access.
Another key issue for Bangladesh is the continuation of tariff preferences after its graduation from the LDC category. Dhaka has proposed considering the retention of benefits currently available under the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) agreement beyond graduation.
Bangladesh has also stressed harmonising product standards, ensuring mutual recognition and simplifying procedures for obtaining necessary certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
Expanding regional transit facilities is another priority. Bangladesh has proposed increasing opportunities for cargo trucks carrying goods from Bangladesh to Nepal and Bhutan through Indian territory. It has also called for making the CEOs Forum more effective to strengthen direct engagement and cooperation between businesses in the two countries.
To facilitate smoother cross-border trade, Bangladesh has highlighted the need to improve infrastructure at India's Land Customs Stations. Its proposals include developing entry points, parking yards, warehouses, sheds, product-testing facilities and quarantine services to increase handling capacity and expedite cargo clearance.
India, meanwhile, has proposed removing restrictions at designated land ports on exports of cotton yarn and other products to Bangladesh. Its agenda also includes addressing barriers to exports from northeastern Indian states, improving regional connectivity and expanding multimodal transportation facilities.
The meeting is also discussing ways to improve the efficiency of the Akhaura-Agartala link and other relevant trade routes, enhance Bangladesh-India rail connectivity and address issues concerning border haats. Both sides are seeking to reduce the time and costs involved in bilateral trade by improving land-port, customs and border operations.
A 10-member Bangladesh delegation, led by Additional Secretary Ayesha Akter of the Ministry of Commerce, is attending the meeting.
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Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
