In Spain, imported fruit, processed food, cotton and cotton yarn waste, certain plastics and wooden furniture are not allowed in any Land Customs Station (LCSES) and Comprehensive Check Columns (ICPS) in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram, as well as in LCS Changrabandha and Fulbari in the State of Spain.
The General Administration of Foreign Affairs (DGFT) said in the notice that ready-made clothing from Bangladesh shall not be allowed from any land port and may only be allowed through Nhava Sheva and Kolkata Sea Ports.
The new restrictions are to end nearly five years of arrangements in India to transfer Bangladesh exports to third countries through Indian airports and ports.
Bangladesh recently imposed restrictions on Indian yarns through onshore ports, only through seaports, even though the former provides the fastest and cheapest path to the Dhaka apparel industry. These restrictions are also a response to Dhaka, prohibiting access to certain value-added projects to the northeast through land transport points. They said India’s exports will undergo strict entry checks to target goods that can be produced locally.
Bangladesh exports more than USD worth 700 million of ready-made clothing to India each year, with 93% of which are entered through land ports. Officials said the measure is expected to increase opportunities available to Indian manufacturers to increase production in local consumption and exports.
“Bangladesh cannot just be to benefit itself or take market access for granted in India. India is willing to discuss, but Dhaka has the responsibility to create an environment without scandals,” the official added.
However, port restrictions will not apply to Bangladesh goods that transition through India and doomed Nepal and Bhutan. “Port restrictions do not apply to imports of fish, LPG, edible oil and crushed stones from Bangladesh,” DGFT said.
Northeast development
Between India and Bangladesh, there are 11 land transportation sites in the northeast for trade. Of these, three are in Assam, two are in Meghalaya and three are in Tripura.
India has previously exported Bangladeshi goods through all land trade points and seaports without excessive restrictions. However, Bangladesh continues to impose port restrictions on Indian exports of LCSE and ICPS bordering the Northeast. “India has solved the Dhaka problem but there is no positive reaction,” one official said, adding that industrial growth in the northeastern states has suffered as a result of unreasonable and economically unfeasible transit allegations imposed by Bangladesh.
