The Bangladeshi Commerce Ministry has said India’s ban on cotton export was against global trade norms, and its repeatedly stopping shipments of the natural fibre had impacted Bangladesh’s textiles industry.
“India imposed a ban on the export of the main raw material leaving aside trade rules and regulations. We think it (ban) is against the norms of international trade,” Commerce Secretary, Mr M. Ghulam Hossain, said at a press conference here yesterday.
He said the Ministry condemned India’s “unexpected move” and has written to the Indian Government for its withdrawal.
“If not, the Indian Government has been urged to take steps to release all agreements related to cotton to ensure the smooth unloading of inputs from ports,” he added.
The Indian Government on Monday banned exports of cotton to increase the supply of the natural fibre in the domestic market amid fears of a low yield this year due to unfavourable weather conditions.
Referring to the world market cotton price, Mr Hossain said production of the textile input was good and the price was low.
Mr Hossain said he hopes India’s ban on cotton exports would not hurt the local textiles industry as the Ministry was keeping a vigil on artificial enhancement of cotton prices.
“We are (also) looking for alternative sources of import including Uzbekistan, Australia and the US,” he said, adding that a high-powered delegation led by the Commerce Minister, Mr Faruq Khan, would visit Uzbekistan next month to explore the possibility of importing cotton.
Besides, the Ministry would also contact the US cotton council to meet the cotton demand in Bangladesh.
India’s ban on cotton imports would be discussed in the upcoming Joint Trade Commission (JTC) meeting to be held on March 28-29 in New Delhi.