8.11.
Commodities under the Crash Programme : (a) At present toys,
luggage and fashion items, electronics, leather goods, diamond
cutting and polishing, jewelry, silk fabric, stationery goods,
cut and artificial flowers and orchid, gift items, vegetables
and engineering consultancy and services have been included
under the crash programme. In order to boost production and
export, promote goods/services under the crash programme, soft
term credit will be provided for product development, market
adaptation, and marketing. Import of raw materials, facilities
will be provided for export on consignment basis and into duty
drawback/bonded warehouse facilities. In addition assistance
will be provided for market exploration obtaining joint
venture. Fresh flower, fruits and bamboo, cane and wooden
furniture shall be included in list of crash programming items
apart form the items listed above.
(b) In order to increase the export of
agro-based products, necessary assistance will be provided to
the high value added agricultural products.
8.12.
I
ncreased import facilities of samples for product
development: For product development and market
promotion any exporter except of RMG sector is entitled to
import duty free: Samples up to a maximum of US $ 1000 (One
thousand) annually on obtaining clearance from the Export
Promotion Bureau. For import of samples exceeding US $ 1000
(One thousand), clearance shall have to be obtained from the
Chief Controller of Imports & Exports, which will approve
the import on the recommendation of the Export Promotion
Bureau issued on the basis of export earnings.
8.13.
Multiple entry visa to importers and foreign Investors
: Multiple entry visas are being
issued to foreign investors and importers to make their entry
into and stay in Bangladesh easy and trouble free.
8.15. Participation in
International Trade Fairs, Organizing Single Country
Exhibitions and undertaking market development programmes
abroad :
As part of export promotion Bangladesh
regularly takes part in international trade fairs, organizes
single country exhibitions and undertakes market development
programmes in different countries of the world Private
enterprises and organizations are encouraged to take part in
such export-oriented events and are accorded various
incentives. Besides, programmes to organize single country
exhibitions in different countries through combined public and
private initiates will continue.
8.16.
Strengthening training on export-related matters
: Knowledge
about the facilities and incentives available in the export
trade leads to intensified export activities in the country.
To apprise the country's exporters of the various
facilities/incentives available, training sessions, seminars
and workshops in different parts of the country under the
National Export Training Programme of the Export Promotion
Bureau will continue to be organized.
8.17.
Establishment of World Trade Centre : The government has decided to
establish a World Trade Centre in Dhaka in a bid to strengthen
infrastructure facilities for the development and expansion of
export. An area of 6.12 acres near Hotel Sonargaon has been
earmarked for this purpose.
8.18.
International Trade Centre : Simultaneously with the
establishment of a World Trade Centre in Dhaka, it has been
decided to set up, in Chittagong, an International Trade
Centre at private initiative. Necessary land for this purpose
has already been allotted.
8.19. C.I.P.
(Export): Every year commercially important
persons (CIPS ) are selected from the highest export
performers item- wise in recognition of their contribution to
export.
8.20.
National Export Trophy : As mark of national accolade, 45
National Trophies are awarded every year to the most
outstanding exporters in 15 product sectors. The trophy
winning exporters are given C.I. P. facilities at the
airport.
8.21. Deemed
Export Facilities : Local raw materials used as direct
import for export production for products supplied to local
projects procurement in foreign exchange against international
tender are regarded as 'deemed export' and qualify for all
export incentives and benefits including duty drawback that
extended to direct exporters.
8.22.
Organizing Local Fairs of International Standard
: Organizing
trade fairs of international standard plays a very important
role in the promotion of exports. Trade fairs, help product
familiarization on the one hand and establishment of closer
contacts between foreign buyers and local sellers on the other
hand. Considering this aspect general as well as specialized
trade fairs of international standard will be organized within
the country apart from participating in general and
specialized International Trade Fairs abroad. 8.23. Import
of samples by Export Promotion Bureau and TCB : The Export
Promotion Bureau and the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh
will be entitled to import duty free samples upto a maximum
annual limit of taka 30,000.00 (Taka Thirty thousand
).
8.24. Import
of banned items : Export-oriented industries may be
entitled to import raw materials put under the
banned/restricted list of import against specific export
orders subject to permission from the Ministry of
Commerce.
8.25.
Widening the Scope of deemed export: The coverage of "deemed export" has
been widened to include supply of goods to the Export
Processing Zones and export of turn-key projects like
engineering services contract, consulting services contract
and various other construction contracts. The net foreign
exchange earnings generated by such project exports will be
considered as actual export and become eligible for all export
incentives and facilities.
8.26. Waiver
on Shipment of goods : To avoid unnecessary delay in
shipment of export cargo the Ministry of Shipping will grant
waiver for shipment of export goods except those which are
covered within 24 ( twenty four ) hours of receipt of
application in the transportation of export goods. Besides,
should an exporter decide to charter an aircraft for quick
transportation of his export consignment, the government will
consider for according necessary permission in this
regard.
8.27.
Re-export ( Entre-Pot) :
The existing
system of taking permission from the Ministry of Commerce on
case-to-case basis for re-export of imported cargo (entre-pot
) trade will not be necessary henceforth. The rate of value
addition required for entre-pot trade has been lowered to 5%
from the previous rate of 10%. However, each package under the
re-export consignment must bear the mark 'entre-pot' or
'temporary importation' and must not claim Bangladesh as
country of origin.
8.28. Export
without L/C : With a view to further simplifying
export procedures, from now on, export may be affected without
L.C. on the basis of purchase contract, agreement, and
purchase order or advance payment. In such cases, the exporter
will be required to submit only the EXP Form and the Shipping
Bill. In addition, export of all commodities including
vegetables and electronic goods shall be allowed without L.C.
and on the basis of advance encashment or on consignment
basis. In order that such exports can be effected smoothly,
genuine exporters will be allowed, for a minimum period of one
year, to export their goods on the basis of contract, purchase
order or advance payment, besides export
L.C.
8.29. Import
without L.C : Import without L/C is permissible
in cases of import of capital machinery essential raw
materials for export-oriented industries, and perishable goods
for eventual re-exportation, irrespective of value
ceiling.
8.30.
Relaxation of provisions for import of raw materials for
export- oriented industries : For import of raw materials through
back-to-back L.C. by 100% export-oriented industries,
restrictions of the import policy order or the requirement of
this rules of origin shall be relaxed.
8.31.
Provision for Direct Air Booking : Direct air booking facility from
Rajshahi and Syedpur airports up to the destinations shall
continue for export of fresh vegetables and other perishable
items produced in the northern regions of the country to
ensure quick transport and preservation of
quality.
8.32.
Inter-Agency, Inter-Sector Project for product diversification
: An
Inter-Agency, inter-sector project shall be taken up with the
aim of product diversification. The existing bonding system,
duty drawback, cash incentive etc. shall be reviewed under the
proposed project, with a view to keeping the export prices
competitive. The project will encompass issues like product
development, market expansion, trade cooperation,
identification and removal of infrastructure impediments of
the export trade. Appropriate project, aided by the World Bank
or other sources, shall also be taken up for technology
transfer in order to bringing about quick transformation of
the export trade.
8.33.
Encouraging increased use of local raw materials : Composite knit/hosiery and garments
manufacturing units operating under the bonded warehouse
system have been increasingly using local raw materials. These
units are presently enjoying bonded warehouse facilities for
50% - 70% of their imports. This rate of bonded warehouse
facilities shall be gradually lowered in an attempt to ensure
increased use of local raw materials.
8.34.
Establishment of M.I.S. at the Ministry of Commerce :
With the
financial assistance of the UNDP, an M.I.S. shall be
established at the Ministry of Commerce under the Uruguay
Round Study Project. Internet connection shall be available to
the proposed M.I.S. allowing easy access to all information
concerning world trade including imports and exports.
9. Product-Specific
decisions :
9.1. Readymade Garments
9.1.1. Provisions
have been made for the exporters of readymade garments to
retain in their respective foreign currency accounts the
portion of their export earnings required for meeting the
expenses on importing fabrics and other accessories through
back-to-back letter of credit. The exporters that way shall be
saved from incurring losses by first converting their export
earnings to Taka and then re-converting the same to foreign
exchange for payment of import bills on raw
materials.
9.1.2. For making
hand-woven sweaters of natural and synthetic wool imported
under customs and permission would be accorded to take up such
wool outside the bonded area, provided the concerned firm
furnishes a bank guarantee for equivalent amount of customs
duty leviable on such raw
materials.
9.1.3. Import of samples
for each category of garments : At present, facility
exists for duty free import of 20 pieces of samples for each
category of garments subject to a maximum of 100 pieces.
Imported samples are, however, subject to mutilation at the
customs paid.
9.1.4. Rationalizing the rate of
value addition: (a) It has been found that
keeping the rate of value addition flexible is congenial for
the growth of the country's export trade. Therefore a Standing
Committee will be formed for rationalizing the existing rates
of value addition for all commodities including readymade
garments. (b) When a garment export unit relies exclusively
on locally procured cotton and accessories through back to
back L/c the maximum amount of back to back L/C in case of
knitwear unit would be equal to the value of the master
L/C. 9.1.5. Import of gray clothes : With a view to
expanding the base of backward linkage industries, permission
is being accorded for import of gray clothes, through usual
procedure for use in the export industries or for direct
export against specific export orders. So long this facility
used to be given only to the dyeing, printing and finishing
factories. Since value addition in the readymade garments
sector did not take place up to its potentialities in spite of
this facility the government has allowed the exporters of
readymade garments to import gray
clothes.
9.1.6. Establishment of Fashion
Institute : To sustain in the global competition ,
a Fashion Institute will be established in the private sector
in cooperation with the Export Promotion Bureau for the
improvement of quality and design of readymade garments (
including leather garments ).
9.2. Frozen Fish:
9.2.1 Emphasis has been laid on
scientific cultivation of shrimps for increased production and
export of shrimp. With this end in view, various programmes
including setting up of a Shrimp Development Board, declaring
shrimp hatchery as an 'industry’, setting up of a Credit
Assurance Fund for extending loan facilities to the shrimp
cultivators and lowering of customs duty on import of
equipments used in the cultivation of shrimps, will be taken
up. 9.2.2. Exporters having fish
processing plant will be considered for allotment of one
hundred acres of 'Khas' land for cultivation of shrimps
applying modem techniques. 9.2.3. Bank
loan on easy terms will be made available on priority basis to
the frozen food processing plants for the implementation of
the HACCP system. 9.2.4. In an effort to
strengthen the quality control system of frozen food,
arrangements will be made for import of essential quality
control equipments free of customs duty.
9.3. Cultivation of Bamboo, Cane
and Coconut: 9.3.1. Sac
Importance has been given to plan cultivation of bamboo, cane
and coconut keeping in view the need to increase supply of
local raw materials to the handicrafts sector.
9.3.2. A Design Centre will be set up to
improve the quality of handicrafts.
9.4. Tea
Industry:
9.4.1. The
government is contemplating declaring the country's tea
industry as export oriented
industry. 9.4.2. Land under most of the
tea estates at present do not enjoy long-term lease, which is
a limiting factor for development activities of tea estates.
To remove such impediment, land under the tea estates will be
leased out on long-term basis. 9.4.3. Tea
estates will be provided with soft term bank loans for
modernizing the plants to achieve high yield and improve
quality of products to strengthen sustain ability in the
international market. Development credit will also be
considered for sick tea estates. 9.4.4. To
encourage export of package tea duty drawback at those rates
on FOB value will be provided on import of packing materials.
9.4.5. General waiver for shipment of
goods will be granted in an effort to increase the export of
tea. 9.4.6. Import of multi wallpaper
sacks on concession customs duty for packing of tea will be
allowed. 9.4.7. To establish reputation
and brand name of Bangladeshi tea in overseas markets
publicity measures will be strengthened. Liaison shall be
maintained, for this purpose, with reputed blending and
distributing agencies.
