DHAKA: Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed informed the National Parliament on Thursday that all Bangladesh products have been enjoying duty-free access to India under SAARC Preferential Trading Arrangement (SAPTA).

The goods exclude 25 tobacco, alcohol and narcotic items, he added.

The minister made the disclosure in the parliament while replying to a tabled question from treasury bench member Mahfuzur Rahman of Chittagong.

"Bangladesh products have been receiving duty-free access facilities to enter India market following initiatives taken by the ministry," he told the House.

He said the government is also working to sign bilateral agreements for ensuring duty-free access to Indian markets side by side with removing non-tariff barriers.

The minister further said that Indian has agreed to accept Bangladesh's test reports on 25 products as per an agreement between Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) and National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) of India.

BDST: 1724 HRS, JUN 25, 2015
RR/SMS