New import policy to focus on domestic industrial boost
Import of old electronics to be stopped to avert e-waste dumping
Dhaka, May 16 (UNB) - The Commerce Ministry on Wednesday finalised the draft of Import Policy Order-2012-15 that focuses on protecting domestic industries, public health and national security.
“We’ve finally screened out 59 proposals and the accepted proposals will be placed in the cabinet by this month for the formal approval,” Commerce Secretary M Ghulam Hossain told reporters after a daylong consultative committee meeting at Hotel Ruposhi Bangla.
He said the new import policy would come into effect on July 1 as the exiting policy expires on June 30.
Replying to a question, he said the government wants to impose a ban on import of all types of old electronics office equipments - computer, photocopier, fax machine and printer - so that no country can use Bangladesh as a dumping destination for electronics waste.
“Bangladesh shouldn’t be used as dumping destination…in the name of donation, some are trying to dump old electronics here…we want to stop it forever,” Hossain said.
On import of scrap ship, he said the government does not support the entry of any ship carrying toxic elements into Bangladesh territory. “But at this initial stage, we can’t afford to discourage the import of scrap ship and the exporting country concerned will have to confirm that the ship doesn’t carry toxic elements.”
Elaborating protection of the domestic industry, he cited agro-processing industry as an example but did not name the other sectors which will be protected through the new policy.
The Commerce Secretary said the new import policy will have a provision to restrict import of airgun. “It has been proposed on security ground.”
He said the new import policy will also put restriction on the import of goods that might have public health risk.
The Commerce Secretary said they tried to ensure the continuation of trade liberalisation in finalising the draft of the new import policy order. “We’ve given priority to easing up business and reducing cost of doing business…we also considered the consumer interest seriously in finalising the draft policy,” he added.
He said the government is working sincerely to formulate a comprehensive trade policy. “Provisions in the import and export policies would be incorporated in the trade policy, once it is done.”
Earlier, in the morning, Commerce Minister GM Quader inaugurated the daylong consultative meeting on Import Policy Order 2012-2015 moderated by the Commerce Secretary.
Representatives from different ministries, the Bangladesh Tariff Commission, the National Board of Revenue and trade bodies were present.
“We’ve finally screened out 59 proposals and the accepted proposals will be placed in the cabinet by this month for the formal approval,” Commerce Secretary M Ghulam Hossain told reporters after a daylong consultative committee meeting at Hotel Ruposhi Bangla.
He said the new import policy would come into effect on July 1 as the exiting policy expires on June 30.
Replying to a question, he said the government wants to impose a ban on import of all types of old electronics office equipments - computer, photocopier, fax machine and printer - so that no country can use Bangladesh as a dumping destination for electronics waste.
“Bangladesh shouldn’t be used as dumping destination…in the name of donation, some are trying to dump old electronics here…we want to stop it forever,” Hossain said.
On import of scrap ship, he said the government does not support the entry of any ship carrying toxic elements into Bangladesh territory. “But at this initial stage, we can’t afford to discourage the import of scrap ship and the exporting country concerned will have to confirm that the ship doesn’t carry toxic elements.”
Elaborating protection of the domestic industry, he cited agro-processing industry as an example but did not name the other sectors which will be protected through the new policy.
The Commerce Secretary said the new import policy will have a provision to restrict import of airgun. “It has been proposed on security ground.”
He said the new import policy will also put restriction on the import of goods that might have public health risk.
The Commerce Secretary said they tried to ensure the continuation of trade liberalisation in finalising the draft of the new import policy order. “We’ve given priority to easing up business and reducing cost of doing business…we also considered the consumer interest seriously in finalising the draft policy,” he added.
He said the government is working sincerely to formulate a comprehensive trade policy. “Provisions in the import and export policies would be incorporated in the trade policy, once it is done.”
Earlier, in the morning, Commerce Minister GM Quader inaugurated the daylong consultative meeting on Import Policy Order 2012-2015 moderated by the Commerce Secretary.
Representatives from different ministries, the Bangladesh Tariff Commission, the National Board of Revenue and trade bodies were present.
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