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DHAKA, May 16 (AFP)-Pakistan, once Bangladesh's major tea importer, is considering duty-free tea imports by the end of this year to jump start exports, officials and reports said Tuesday. "Increased domestic demand against stagnant production in Bangladesh has caused a decline in tea exports to Pakistan," Mohammad Hanif Janoo, a member of the visiting Pakistani trade and investment delegation, was quoted as saying by the private UNB news agency. "Currently we are importing seven million kilos of tea from Bangladesh ... if the price of your tea goes up, Bangladesh would lose its market to Vietnam," which offers lower prices, he said. Bangladesh, he said, also remained very strong due to the increased domestic demand compelling Pakistani importers to look for other markets. Pakistan currently imports its bulk requirement from Kenya, trading sources said, adding that Bangladeshi entrepreneurs have proposed a bilateral agreement for duty-free exports of tea to Pakistan. Pakistan's imports were cut by almost half between July 1999 and February this year from 5.5 million kilos during the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year, officials said. Qamrul Islam Chowdhury, chairman of the Bangladesh Tea Growers Association, earlier said that efforts were being made to lift exports to Pakistan. "We believe we will succeed and be able to export at least 10 million kilograms of tea to Pakistan this year," Chowdhury said. Drought and pest played havoc last year causing production losses. Bangladeshi tea growers in southeastern Chittagong port city have been upbeat about increased exports with good production this year. "Prices should also go up and we are hoping for the best after a slump in exports," trader Rafay Nizam said from Chittagong. The average tea price fell to 58 taka (1.12 U.S. dollars) per kilogram last season, which ended in March, from an average of 61 taka the previous season, market sources earlier said. Tea is one of Bangladesh's five most important exports, with Pakistan also importing raw jute, jute goods, and related items such as betel leaf. |
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