Clear way for importing Unilever’s products: HC

Staff Reporter :
The High Court has cleared the way for anyone apart from the ‘Unilever Bangladesh’ for import of the branded finished products of Unilever and marketing of those in the country.
The High Court has discharged a rule issued earlier asking the respondents to explain as to why they should not be directed not to allow the importing and the marketing of the branded finished products of Unilever in the country by anyone other than ‘Unilever Bangladesh’.
A larger bench of the High Court comprising Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam, Justice Md Ashraful Kamal and Justice Md Shohrowardi delivered the verdict on Tuesday after hearing the rule.
Deputy Attorney General Barrister Kazi
Maynul Hassan said that importers and anyone can import and market Unilever’s products from abroad from now after the High Court ruling.
He further said, according to the judgment of the High Court, the monopoly business of Unilever Bangladesh Limited will be closed. This ruling will create a competitive market system on these products.
Unilever Bangladesh filed the writ petition on October 7 in 2010 praying to the HC to issue a rule upon the respondents to show cause as to why the respondents should not be directed not to allow the importing of the branded finished products of Unilever by anyone other than the petitioner.
The products are Vaseline, Knorr, Dove, Pepsodent Tooth Brush, Close up Milk Calcium Nutrient and empty branded packing materials such as bottles, tubes, containers, wrappers, packets, labels etc.
It also prayed to the court to issue rule as to why the respondents should not be directed not to allow the opening of Letters of Credit by any importer other than the petitioner to import the branded finished products of the Unilever.
Chairman of the National Board of Revenue (NBR); Commissioners of Customs in Kurmitoal, Chattogram, Kamalapur, Jashore and Khulna; Agrani Bank and others were made respondents in the petition.
Upon the hearing the petition a High Court bench issued rule on that year. After hearing the rule a larger bench of the HC delivered the verdict on Tuesday.