510 tonnes of rice imported from India reach Benapole

The government has permitted 232 companies to import 200,000 tonnes of rice to regulate the market

A total of 510 tonnes of parboiled rice have been imported from India through the Benapole Land Port in Jashore after a gap of three months, with the import cost standing at Tk 50 per kg.

The consignments arrived at the port in 14 trucks on Tuesday and entered Transshipment Yard No. 31, said Benapole Land Port Traffic Director Md Shamim Hossain.

The importing firm is Haji Musa Karim and Sons, while clearance of the imported rice is being handled by C&F agent M/s Bhuiyan Enterprise. To help control rice prices in the domestic market, the government has allowed duty-free customs clearance of rice imports.

Benapole Plant Quarantine Centre Sub-Assistant Officer Shyamal Kumar Nath said the last rice imports through the port were done in November last year, when 6,128 tonnes were brought in.

On Jan 18, the government again permitted 232 importing companies to import 200,000 tonnes of rice, setting a deadline of Mar 3 for completing imports and releasing the rice to the market.

Shyamal Kumar said inspections of the imported rice are being carried out and steps are being taken to ensure swift clearance.

He said the cost of importing rice from India to Benapole port stood at Tk 50 per kg, and the rice would be sold in the open market at Tk 51 per kg.

Benapole Land Port Traffic Director Md Shamim Hossain said 510 tonnes of coarse (non-basmati) rice had been imported in four consignments, adding that instructions have been given to ensure quick clearance from the port.