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Download PDF The government yesterday banned export of all but aromatic varieties of rice for six months, till November 7.
Commerce ministry in an SRO (statutory regulatory order) signed by Abu Sayeed Chowdhury, a deputy secretary, yesterday said the ban will be effective from today (Wednesday).
This decision puts Bangladesh in the group countries that enforced a ban on rice export to restrain the price of the grain at home. Thailand, the largest rice exporter, Vietnam, India and Brazil already preceded Bangladesh in banning the export.
“The move will help ensure food security and serve the country’s interest,” a senior commerce ministry official said asking not to be named.
He said the government has decided to impose the ban as it noticed that a group of exporters are cashing in on the government’s lenient rice export policy. The country has exported a record quantity of rice, including non-aromatic category, in the first eight months of the current fiscal year despite serious rice shortages at home.
According to data gathered from Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), the country exported Tk 37.2 crore worth of rice till February — up from Tk 28.2 crore during the same period of the last fiscal year.
The EPB sources said rice export hit the highest monthly figure of Tk 5.6 crore in February.
Besides aromatic rice, Bangladesh also exported non-aromatic varieties of rice such as Miniket, Paijam and Nazirshail to the United States and a number of countries in the Middle East.
Bangladesh spent $600 million in rice import in the first eight months till February of this fiscal to meet the country’s demands after being hit by twin floods and a massive cyclone last year.
According to government data, this fiscal year’s rice import is at least ten times higher than that of the same period in the last fiscal. This extensive import of rice has created huge pressure on the country’s balance of payment, observed experts.
UNB adds: BDR sector commander, Dinajpur, yesterday ordered his troops to shoot anyone smuggling out food grains.
Exchanging views with UP chairmen and farmers of the border areas at Mohanpur BDR camp, Sector Commander Col Rezaul Kabir said they were apprehending smuggling of Boro out of the country, as price across the border tends to be higher.
“We shall not hesitate to shoot if anyone is found smuggling out food grains,” warned Col Kabir.
Col Kabir urged the UP chairmen and farmers to cooperate with local BDR personnel to check smuggling.
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