Ban on raw jute exports by Bangladesh: PJMA chief urges SAARC CCI to intervene

SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been told to tackle a crisis resulting from a ban on raw jute exports by Bangladesh. Chairman of the Pakistan Jute Mills Association (PJMA), Ahsan Ahmed Khan has asked SAARC CCI President Suraj Vaidya in a letter to deal with the case, saying, "You are requested to intervene immediately in the situation to get the ban abolished in the best national interest of both Pakistan and Bangladesh. You may activate all diplomatic and governmental channels of the member states to get the matter resolved on priority. We believe that your swift action will ensure exporters and importers on either side from the great embarrassment being anticipated ahead."
He expressed deep concern over the ban imposed by the Bangladesh government that began on November 3. "The matter is quite urgent and serious as Pakistan, being one of the biggest jute importer, fulfils all basic raw material requirements of its jute industry from single country imports." The letter also said SAARC CCI had been chartered to promote and regularise the economic, trade and other development relations between all its members. The strengthening of the relations between these countries through cooperation and collaboration to achieve better future for its citizens is one of its objectives. They have further been tied up through the South Asian Free Trade Area and the association's Preferential Trading Arrangement.
"It is also believed that the chamber is to play its role in case any confusion, misunderstanding or any unfair act towards the mutual trade is taken by any member state. The subjected "Raw Jute Export Ban" has come without any forewarning. And the jolt thus received shall have drastic impact upon our industry; pushing it into deep and non-recoverable crises," the letter said.
It further stated, "The storage of the crop yields especially of wheat, rice, grains and potatoes etc are likely to go waste throughout the country given a scenario of "no supply of sacks", the lifting and the transportation of the crops from farms to markets shall also get adversely affected and thus the small farmers would be worst hit who would not be able to sell their crops without the required bardana (jute bags)." The Government of Bangladesh should not stop prior commitments and signed contracts of their trade and business community," letter added.