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India.com
20-05-2025
- Business
- India.com
Bangladesh: Yunus Administration Okays Another Pakistani Airline To Operate From Dhaka
Dhaka: In yet another significant development highlighting the growing bonhomie between the two countries, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has granted permission to another private Pakistani airline, Air Sial, to operate direct flights between Dhaka and Karachi. CAAB Chairman Monjur Kabir Bhuiyan was quoted by the local media as saying that a formal order will be issued later on Tuesday after which the ministry will appoint a General Sales Agent (GSA) and apply for flight slots. Once operational, Air Sial flights will allow Bangladeshi passengers to not only travel to Pakistan but also transit through the country to other international destinations, reported. The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) had formally revived the proposal for operating direct flights during a meeting with Bangladesh's Advisor for Travel and Tourism Sheikh Bashir Uddin in Dhaka on January 12, earlier this year. The last Pakistani airline to fly directly to Bangladesh was Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) which ceased operations on the route in 2018 due to low booking rates and financial losses. Earlier in February, CAAB had approved Fly Jinnah to operate direct flights on the Karachi-Dhaka route. Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) reported that Bangladesh's High Commissioner to Pakistan Iqbal Hussain had said that, if approved, Air Sial may be able to commence flights to Dhaka within two months. The prospect of renewed direct flights gained momentum under the current administration led by Muhammad Yunus, following a shift in Dhaka-Islamabad relations after the fall of the Awami League government in August 2024.
Hindustan Times
18-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Bangladesh cannot assume India's northeast is a captive market
New Delhi: Bangladesh cannot assume India's northeastern states are a captive market for its exports while denying the region market access, people familiar with the matter said on Sunday after New Delhi imposed restrictions on imports of ready-made garments and other goods from the neighbouring country. India on Saturday restricted imports of ready-made garments (RMG) from Bangladesh only to Kolkata and Nhava Sheva ports and barred imports of a range of consumer goods through 13 land border posts in the northeast and West Bengal in response to restrictions adopted by Dhaka. The move on RMG is expected to have a significant impact on Bangladesh as its annual exports of these items to India are worth about $700 million. 'Bangladesh needs to realise that it cannot cherry pick terms of bilateral trade solely for its benefit, or assume the northeastern states are a captive market for its exports, while denying the region market access and transit,' one of the people cited above said on condition of anonymity. The land port restrictions imposed by India on select exports from Bangladesh to the northeast through a notification issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade on Saturday is expected to restore equality in the relationship, the people said. While India had so far allowed all exports from Bangladesh without restrictions, transit and market access to the northeastern states had been restricted by the Bangladeshi side, they said. The latest measure by India 'restores equal market access for both countries', especially since Bangladesh has been seeking equality in engagement with India, the person said. RMG imports from Bangladesh were restricted to the two sea ports of Kolkata and Nhava Sheva, Mumbai, as a response to Bangladesh imposing similar trade restrictions on Indian yarn and rice, and selectively enhancing inspection of all Indian exports, the people said. The trade relationship with Bangladesh will be on reciprocal terms, they added. In the context of Bangladesh interim government chief Muhammad Yunus playing up the landlocked status of the northeastern states during a visit to China last month, the people noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had emphasised that these seven states are integral to the Bimstec grouping. The equal market space now available in the resource-rich northeastern states is expected to give a fillip to manufacturing and entrepreneurship in the region under 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' schemes and policies, they said. Meanwhile, Bangladesh's de facto commerce minister Sheikh Bashir Uddin told reporters in Dhaka on Sunday that trade with India will continue in the interest of consumers and businesses of both countries. 'We have not yet received any official communication from the Indian side. Once we do, we will take appropriate steps. If any issues arise, both sides will work to resolve them through discussions,' he said, referring to India's restrictions on imports from Bangladesh. Bashir Uddin said the Bangladeshi side had only learnt about the matter from social media and media reports. 'Not everything we export is affected. A large portion of our exports comes from the garment sector. Our main focus remains on achieving competitiveness. Trade is beneficial to both countries. India has a strong textile industry, yet they import our products based on our capabilities,' he said. He expressed optimism that trade with India will continue as it is in the interest of consumers and producers on both sides.
Fibre2Fashion
13-05-2025
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
US seeks tariff reduction proposals in writing from Bangladesh
The United States trade representative (USTR) recently requested for written proposals from Bangladesh regarding the latter's commitment to reducing import duties on American goods. Praising Bangladesh's initiative to narrow the trade gap with the United states, USTR Jamieson Greer responded to the country's move to start talks on the reciprocal tariff policy, according to a USTR letter to Bangladesh commerce adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin. USTR Jamieson Greer has requested for written proposals from Bangladesh regarding the latter's commitment to reducing import duties on US goods. Praising Bangladesh's initiative to narrow the trade gap and responding to its move to start talks on reciprocal tariffs, he urged Dhaka to address areas of unfair trade practices like labour rights violations and measures that may restrict digital trade. "My team is ready to engage with Bangladesh to address the persistent bilateral trade deficit by reducing Bangladesh's agricultural and industrial tariffs and non-tariff barriers, as well as aligning with the United States on economic security matters," Greer wrote. "I welcome the positive steps your letter references with regard to Bangladesh's reform initiatives related to key US interests, and I also encourage the Government of Bangladesh to address other areas of unfair trade practices, such as labour rights violations and measures that may restrict digital trade," he was quoted as saying by Bangladesh media reports. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
