Easter region enjoys trade surplus with Bangladesh

BIRATNAGAR, Nov 5:

Though eastern region´s trade deficit with India is increasing with every passing year, the region recorded trade surplus with Bangladesh in 2013/14.

According to Trade and Export Promotion Center (TEPC), eastern regions exported products worth Rs 2.67 to Bangladesh and imported goods worth Rs 1.57 billion from the South Asian neighbor.

“Though we see trade surplus, export of goods from the region has not increased. We are in surplus situation as imports from Bangladesh have gone down,” Krishna Regmi, chief of TEPC Biratnagar, told Republica.

In fiscal year 2012/13, eastern region had exported goods worth Rs 2.07 billion to Bangladesh and imported products worth Rs 2.02 billion.

According to TEPC Biratnagar, the region´s trade deficit increased by Rs 19 billion in 2013/14 compared to a year earlier. The region´s total trade deficit in 2013/14 stood at Rs 77 billion compared to Rs 58 billion in 2012/13.

In 2013/14, the eastern region exported goods worth Rs 37.49 billion and imported products worth Rs 100.14 billion from different countries. In the review period, the region imported goods worth Rs 84 billion from India and products worth Rs 31 billion from third countries. Likewise, it exported goods worth Rs 33.47 billion to India and goods worth Rs 4 billion to third countries.

In the review period, the region imported petroleum products worth Rs 16.98 billion, and iron and steel products worth Rs 15.47 billion. Jute, thread, textile, paper and chemicals were the region´s top imports in the review period.

Black cardamom, meat products, tea and readymade garments, among others, were the region´s top exports during the review period.

Source: Republica