India to review antidumping duty on Bangladesh jute: Hasina

A review of antidumping duties imposed by India on jute shipments from Bangladesh has been discussed, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina says.

Her statement came on Saturday during a joint media briefing at New Delhi's Hyderabad House after her one-on-one-meeting with Modi and the bilateral talks.

Hasina said she discussed the issue with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and that they have "resolved the issue."

Modi also assured Bangladesh of "concrete steps" to address the growing trade deficit, Hasina said.

"We both reiterated our strong commitment to make our borders peaceful and free from criminal activities. We also pledged zero tolerance against terrorism and extremism."

Describing greater connectivity as vital for the development of the countries and the region, Hasina said they have further enhanced the cooperation in power and energy.

Modi and Hasina inaugurated supply of additional 60 megawatts of power to Bangladesh from Tripura.

“We have also discussed cross-border electricity import from Nepal and Bhutan,” Hasina said.

On the issue of water-sharing of common rivers, Hasina said they have discussed the issues of Teesta, the Padma-Ganges Barrage project and basin-wide management.

“I sincerely believe that we shall be able to get India’s support in resolving these issues expeditiously.”

On Jan 5, the Indian government imposed anti-dumping duties between $19 to $352 per tonne of imported jute and jute products from Bangladesh. Similar duties were also imposed on Nepal.

Also read

Jute exports to India drop after anti-dumping duty  

India justified the tariff by saying the countries were “undercutting and suppressing the prices of the domestic industry".

The duty was imposed for five years and applies to products such as jute yarn, hessian fabrics and jute sacks.

Jute is Bangladesh’s third largest export sector, earning $919.58 million in the 2015-16 fiscal year. Nearly a fifth of this amount is earned on the Indian market.

Prior to the dumping duty, Bangladeshi jute enjoyed a zero-duty benefit on the Indian market through the South Asia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA).