No more Pakistani Red Products in Bangladesh

During the Awami League government’s tenure, all imports from Pakistan were listed under a special “red list.” However, in response to Pakistan’s request, the current government has removed all items from the red list, according to information from the National Board of Revenue (NBR).

Since the Awami League came to power in 2009, trade between Bangladesh and Pakistan has been declining steadily. The recent change in government sparked speculation that trade activities with Pakistan could return to normal. Following Pakistan’s request, all items on the red list have been exempted from import restrictions until this Tuesday.

It was reported by the NBR that on September 10th, economic adviser Salehuddin met with Pakistan’s High Commissioner Syed Ahmed Maruf in Bangladesh. During the meeting, Pakistan’s High Commissioner expressed a desire to strengthen bilateral trade relations between the two countries.

To facilitate trade, all types of products imported from Pakistan have been cleared from the red list by the NBR. Only Pakistani goods were included in this list. The NBR has emphasized the importance of facilitating the import and export of essential goods while maintaining strict control over prohibited items, including narcotics.

The new decisions by the NBR are expected to create a milestone in the country’s trade relations, making it easier for businesses to import goods from Pakistan without facing unnecessary complexities. Furthermore, both countries will adhere to national criteria for imported goods, and customs houses will take necessary steps to manage product-based risks in import activities.

This move is seen as a positive step towards revitalizing trade between Bangladesh and Pakistan, with the potential to benefit various sectors such as leather, textiles, and garments, in both countries.