India’s transshipment cancellation won’t pose problem: Commerce Adviser

Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin has said that India’s sudden cancellation of transshipment facility will not create any problem for Bangladesh.

The commerce adviser said this while talking to newsmen at the Secretariat on Thursday (April 10). 

On Tuesday (8 April), the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) of India revoked the order allowing Bangladeshi goods to transit through Indian territory to third countries via transshipment.

When asked about this, the adviser said, "This (transshipment cancellation) was imposed on us suddenly. Immediately, I held a meeting with all our stakeholders yesterday. We do not feel any problem with this. We are taking all measures so that we do not face any problem in exporting products. I hope we will overcome this.”

When asked what steps will be taken, the commerce adviser said, “Some of it involves infrastructure issues, and some involves increased costs-  we are working on these areas. We hope to overcome the problem”.

In response to a question about whether Bangladesh could retaliate by canceling Indian transshipment or transit facilities, as some social media users have suggested, the Commerce Adviser replied, “That is not under my jurisdiction. My concern is capacity building”.

The Commerce Adviser further stated that the United States' temporary suspension of additional tariffs for three months would provide immediate relief.