Onion importers in Bangladesh have raised concerns over the sudden suspension of import permits (IPs) through the Hili Land Port in Dinajpur and have called on the government to resume approvals without delay.
During a press conference, the Hili Land Port Importers and Exporters Association requested that traders who had already applied for permits and loaded onion consignments in India be allowed to complete their imports. They also urged the withdrawal of the mandatory minimum requirement of 30 tons for import permits.
According to the association, the government had issued onion IPs on August 14 through Hili Land Port, which increased domestic supply and helped stabilize prices. However, on August 19, the issuance of new IPs was suspended, creating difficulties for traders.
Importers reported that many consignments already purchased and loaded in India are now stranded at the border. Transporting onions from India to Bangladesh typically takes five to six days, but the sudden halt in permit issuance has left more than one hundred trucks stuck at the crossing, resulting in financial losses.
Association representatives, including Vice President Shahidul Islam, General Secretary Nazmul Haque, and importer Ripon Hossain, emphasized the need for immediate action to ease the situation for traders and ensure continued supply to the domestic market.
Source: Daily Sun
