Khulna, Dec 06 (V7N)- Since the customs duty was lifted, 1,655 metric tons of rice have been imported from India through Benapole land port in Jessore in 17 days. Rice imports resumed after two years on November 17.

On Thursday (December 5) morning, 210 metric tons of rice were imported in 6 trucks. In this regard, 1,655 metric tons of rice were imported in 49 trucks from November 17 to 10 am on December 5.

Abdul Gani, revenue officer of the cargo branch of Benapole Customs Building, said that the importing companies Mahbubul Alam Food Products, Ark Trading and Sardar Enterprise are importing all this rice through Benapole port.

In a letter signed by Joint Secretary of the Food Ministry Lutfar Rahman, 92 importing companies were allowed to import rice privately. Permission was granted to import 273,000 metric tons of parboiled rice and 119,000 metric tons of parboiled rice from India. Traders are doubtful whether everyone will be able to import rice. Because this rice has to be imported and marketed by December 10. There are only 4 days left for the government holiday there, except Friday.

Shyamal Kumar Nath, Deputy Assistant Officer of the Plant Quarantine Center at Benapole Land Port, said that the Indian government banned the export of parboiled and parboiled rice outside the country from July 20, 2023. Before that, rice import from India through this port was stopped from November 2022. At that time, a 62 percent customs duty was imposed on rice to discourage rice import. Since then, no more rice has been imported through Benapole Land Port.  Rice imports have resumed after the tariff was lifted. Between November 17 and December 5 at 10 am, 1,655 metric tons of rice were imported from India.

END/SDA/AJ