As many as 50,000 tons of onions imported from India will arrive in Bangladesh in phases starting in the next two to three days, State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu has said.
“India’s embargo on onion exports will not affect its deal with Bangladesh,” Titu said while speaking at a seminar organized by the International Business Forum of Bangladesh on "Impact of syndicates and competition on the price of essentials,” at its office in Dhaka’s Tejgaon Industrial Area on Sunday.
“Per the agreement to import 50,000 tons of Indian onion, it will gradually come to Bangladesh. Our onions from India have already boarded trains, which will arrive in two or three days through the Darshana route,” Titu said.
The Indian government recently announced an exemption for Bangladesh and five other friendly countries from a ban on the export of onions, aimed at maintaining stability in their domestic markets.
By far the largest exemption is for Bangladesh: out of the 54,000 tons of onions to be exported under this exemption, 50,000 is allocated for Bangladesh.
Titu said there are no perfect markets by definition as different issues like natural calamities, pandemics and global conflict sometimes seriously disrupt markets.
When the government detects any unscrupulous behaviour in the market, it takes necessary action, he said.
Highlighting the government’s role in supporting people affected by market volatility, he said it provides support to the poor through programs like the TCB's family card for 10 million families.
He suggested an improved supply chain, proper storage of agricultural produce and agro-processing, raising the scope for digital transactions to help check market manipulation.
