DHAKA: Country’s export earning from Developing-8 (D-8) member countries has witnessed a downtrend from July 2014 to February 2015 due to the prevailing political instability.

Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) sources said, adding more, export amount of Tk 1,168-crore has been decreased in nine months till February.

Sources said the products worth Tk 5,230.83-crore ($67.02 crore) were exported to D-8 countries from July to February in 2014-15 fiscal year while the country exported the products of Tk 6,370.34-crore ($81.62-crore) in the previous fiscal year.

According to the information, Bangladesh exported $14.60-crore, equivalent to Tk 1,168-crore, less than the last year.

The D-8 organization is consisted of Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey.

Some officials of EPB seeking anonymity said the countries under D-8 have lost their faith on Bangladesh. Some countries like Indonesia, Iran, Nigeria and Turkey earlier cautioned Bangladesh about its political instability.

But, authorities concerned paid little heed to the issue that had resulted the decrease of exports to the countries, they added.

However, EPB vice-chairman Subhasish Basu echoed different voice in the regard. According to him, the export has been reduced as Bangladesh is competing with the D-8 countries in producing its export materials.

Moreover, Bangladesh exporters also lack interest to export in the D-8 members countries, he added.

BDST: 1653 HRS, MAR 15, 2015