Staff Reporter :
The Bangladesh Fresh Fruits Importers Association (BFFIA) has announced that it will stop importing fruits from the next day if the additional supplementary duty (SD) is not withdrawn by next Monday.
The association’s vice-president Faruk Siddiqui made the announcement at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity yesterday.
He said that due to the supplementary duty (SD), it is not possible to run their business, and they are facing ‘financial losses’ with every shipment.
“In the past, where it was possible to sell each truckload of fruit in a day, now it is not possible to sell it even in 3-4 days. As a result, it is not possible to unload the goods from the port. Again, demurrage is being charged at shipping and ports.
“Therefore, if the supplementary duty is not withdrawn, the unloading of imported fresh fruit from all land and sea ports of Bangladesh will be closed indefinitely from Tuesday.”
On January 9, the government increased the supplementary duty on imported fresh fruit from 20 percent to 30 percent.
Farooq Siddiqui said that the country produces 35-40 percent of the demand. The remaining 60-65 percent of fresh fruit has to be imported from different countries.
“Usually, traders do business through bank loans. Currently, bank interest rates are at their highest levels. Inflation and the value of the dollar are also at high levels. “In this situation, imposing increased duty on fresh fruits is nothing but a rash decision.”
Association president Sirajul Islam said that currently they are able to import half the fruit compared to normal, of which 20 percent is being sold.
“Fruit is not a luxury product, it is a food item. I am not able to do the business, where will I get the money? If there is no demand, what will I do with it? If the supplementary duty is withdrawn, I will be able to run the business for the time being.”
