It is heartening to note that Bangladesh’s exports to India witnessed a remarkable growth in the first quarter of the current fiscal year to reach about $612.70 million, up 22.80 percent from that in the same period of the previous fiscal. As reported by this daily on Saturday in the first quarter (July-September) of the 2021-22 fiscal, exporters of Bangladesh exported various products worth $498.60 million to the neighboring country.
Experts are of the opinion that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to India in the first week of September has given a new dimension to the expansion of investment and trade between the two countries. However, it is envisaged that if this positive trend continues, Bangladesh's exports to the Indian market will surpass $3 billion for the first time by the end of the current fiscal year.
It is time to add more diversified
products to our export basket in
order to sustain economic growth
Needless to mention, the existing policies implemented by the government over the last years have been fruitful towards boosting the country’s export earnings. Over the last few years we have seen some revolutionary changes in our industrial infrastructures. Bangladesh now needs to pay more attention to devise an alternative strategy that encourages diversification of exports, both in terms of products and destination. It is time to add more diversified products to our export basket in order to sustain economic growth, increase investment opportunities, and create more jobs, particularly for women. Also, there is a need for an exemption of taxes on raw materials and backward linkage industries to survive competition with others, which will help expand the country’s export earnings.
In order to boost the export earning, export of Halal products can play a big role. Halal products have a huge demand in the international market, even in the European market, because of their distinct quality. We believe, with proper support from the authorities concerned, Bangladesh can earn more by exporting Halal products.
The government's recent initiatives to promote thrust sectors including pharmaceuticals, agro-products, plastics, ICT, shipbuilding, furniture, are moving in the right direction. But at the same time it is true that in order to sustain the current tempo of the country’s export growth, our efforts to solve infrastructure, power, and institutional bottlenecks need to be followed through.
Also, a comprehensive policy package coupled with supportive governmental incentives will help our export industry grow further. We are capable of making the best quality products at low prices. Hence, the government needs to encourage entrepreneurs by giving several fiscal and technical support.
