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Dhaka to seek duty-free access for exports

By Haroon Habib

DHAKA Oct. 17. Bangladesh is expected to demand duty-free access for all its exports to India and seek the removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers to boost its trade.

The decision was taken in view of the "huge trade gap'' between the two neighbours, a source in the Ministry of Commerce said, adding that the demands might be put forward at the coming trade talks between the two countries in New Delhi.

Since 1972, the bilateral trade had remained largely in favour of India. And the trade imbalance against Bangladesh would grow if immediate remedial measures were not taken, the official said.

During the 2001-2002 fiscal, Bangladesh's trade deficit with India stood at over $ 1.1 billion. The issue of allowing duty-free access for its exports had been discussed during the recent visit of the External Affairs Minister, Yahswant Sinha, to Dhaka but no progress had been made.

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