‘Attempt continues to reduce trade deficit with India and China’

Gopalganj Correspondent: Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi has said Bangladesh is trying to reduce trade deficit with India and China. The country is developing more than that of earlier. India and China are the countries of nearly 250 crore of people. We are trying heart and soul to reduce trade deficit with the two countries.

The Minister said this in reply to queries of journalists after he had paid tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at his shrine at Tungipara in Gopalganj on Friday noon.

Commerce Minister said, “Bangladesh is exporting different commodities including plastics and garments to India. We are also planning targeting different countries including China and Indonesia.

When asked about rice price hike, he said, “Food Minister and I have already held talks with mill owners and other people concerned in this regard. They gave us words to reduce prices by a week. Hope, the matter will be solved very soon.”

The new commerce minister paid the tributes on the occasion of taking new charge as a member of the newly formed cabinet.

He placed a wreath at the shrine and stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of Bangabandhu, the architect of independence.

The minister also offered fateha seeking peace and progress of the nation. He also joined a special munajat seeking eternal peace of Bangabandhu and other martyrs of the August 15 carnage.

Shariatpur upazila chairman Mobarak Ali Shikder, Gopalganj district Awami League (AL) general secretary Mahbub Ali Khan, Rangpur unit Awami League president Ruhul Amin, Rangpur district AL organising secretary Tuhin Chowdhury and Tungipara municipality mayor Sheikh Ahmed Hossain Mirza were present on the occasion, among others.

On January 9 last, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina accompanied by her cabinet colleagues and senior Awami League leaders, placed wreaths at Bangabandhu’s shrine.

But, the commerce minister could not accompany the prime minister as he had to attend the inaugural ceremony of 24th Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) which was inaugurated by President Md Abdul Hamid on that day.


risingbd/Gopalganj/January 11, 2019/Badal Saha/AKA