Staff Reporter :
Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin has stated that India’s recent ban on imports of certain jute products through land ports is unlikely to have a significant impact on Bangladesh’s new export target for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday at his secretariat office, Bashir noted that India currently enjoys a considerable trade surplus with Bangladesh, while Bangladesh’s apparel exports to India far exceed India’s exports of goods such as jute to Bangladesh.
The adviser confirmed that the ministry had formally requested bilateral talks with India’s commerce minister to enhance trade relations, but no response has been received to date.
India’s ban, effective immediately, restricts entry of certain jute products, including sacks and bags, through land ports. However, imports of these goods will still be permitted via the Nhava Sheva seaport in Maharashtra.
The government has set an ambitious export target of $63.5 billion for the current fiscal year (FY26), aiming for a 16.5 per cent growth over last year’s earnings. Bashir described this target as “quite conservative”
and expressed confidence it could be surpassed.
The export target for FY26 reflects a 16.5 per cent increase over the $55 billion actually earned in FY25, despite a target of $57.5 billion for that year. Bashir said the goals were set following consultations with stakeholders across relevant sectors.
From next week, the ministry plans to hold meetings with industry leaders to identify key bottlenecks in each sector and coordinate with appropriate agencies to address them.
The adviser highlighted ongoing efforts to diversify export markets, including promotion of non-traditional products and exploration of new destinations.
Negotiations on free trade agreements (FTAs) with Japan, South Korea, and Singapore are underway, although he cautioned that not all such agreements may prove favourable for Bangladesh.
Projected export earnings by product category include $20.79 billion from woven garments, $23.70 billion from knitwear, $1.25 billion from leather and leather goods, $900 million from jute and jute products, and $1.21 billion from agricultural items.
Bashir also addressed trade barriers, noting discussions on both tariff and non-tariff measures. Bangladesh currently maintains zero tariffs on 3,800 import tariff lines, including most food products. While energy imports face high tariffs, these imports are government-led, so the revenue benefits the state. These issues have been raised in talks with the United States.
He emphasised efforts to maximise duty-free market access, particularly with the UK and EU, and confirmed ongoing discussions to reduce the US reciprocal tariff from 20 per cent to 15 per cent.
Industry representatives present expressed cautious optimism about meeting the export target but stressed the importance of addressing domestic challenges such as the ongoing gas crisis, instability in the banking sector, inefficiencies in customs procedures, and law and order concerns.
Mohammad Hatem, president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), affirmed the government’s target is achievable and could even be exceeded, especially given progress in reciprocal tariff negotiations with the US. However, he underscored the urgent need to resolve key domestic issues to sustain export growth.
