Commerce minister asks Pakistan to remove anti-dumping duty on hydrogen peroxide

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi has requested Pakistan to remove the anti-dumping duty on export of hydrogen peroxide from Bangladesh as it is deterring bilateral trade between the two countries.

The minister said this at a meeting with the Pakistan's High Commissioner in Dhaka Imran Ahmed Siddiqui at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Wednesday.

Tipu Munshi hinted that there is an opportunity to further increase exports from Bangladesh to Pakistan, reads a press release.

“Bangladesh, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is marching rapidly forward in all fields. But there are some problems on trade with Pakistan. If they are resolved, the trade will increase further. Both countries have huge potential to increase trade and commerce,” the minister said.

The commerce minister said any existing problem can be solved through discussion.

Problems can be identified and resolved at a meeting of the Joint Economic Commission (JEC) between the two countries.

“Traders have an important role to play in increasing trade. Traders can increase trade by visiting each other's countries. Necessary assistance can be provided in this case,” the minister added.

High Commissioner Imran Ahmed Siddiqui said the Pakistani government wants to move forward by developing trade relations with Bangladesh. There is ample opportunity for enhancing trade and economic relations between the two countries.

“Pakistan is keen to enhance trade and economic ties while maintaining good relations between the two countries. Ceramic products made in Bangladesh are being widely used in various government departments of Pakistan,” he added.

The high commissioner further said there is a huge demand for readymade garments, pharmaceutical products, jute, and leather products in Pakistan.

He said he would request Pakistani authorities to facilitate visas for personal and business visits to Bangladesh and to establish a direct Dhaka-Karachi link for transportation of goods.

He also called for holding a single country fair of Bangladeshi products in Pakistan and requested holding the 9th meeting of the Joint Economic Commission (JEC).

In the 2019-20 fiscal year, Bangladesh exported goods worth $50.54 million to Pakistan and imported goods worth $534.90 million at the same time.

If trade complexities are removed in some cases, the export of Bangladeshi products to the Pakistani market will increase further.