Bangladesh Export Policy 2015-2018.

The Bangladesh Export Policy 2015-2018 is a national policy prepared with an objective to update and liberalize the trade regime keeping consistence with the global perspectives and needs, and the requirements of World Trade Organization and sub-regional connectivity of the four countries (Bangladesh-India-Nepal-Bhutan) as well as increasing exports, expanding markets, diversifying products, and improving balance of trade with different countries.
Agro-products and agro-processed products are considered a high priority sector because of their export potential that is not fully utilized due to various constraints. To enable more efficient agro-food systems a series of benefits and facilities will be provided to this sector including project loans at reduced interest rates, income tax rebates, possible financial benefits or subsidies for utility services consistent with the WTO Agreement on Agriculture, and Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures, export credits at lower interest rates or soft terms, and provision of air transport and duty draw-back/bond facilities, assistance in production and marketing of products, assistance in exploring markets abroad, and necessary initiatives to attract foreign investments.
Further, some benefits will also be extended to the special development sectors that are underdeveloped products with export potential such as the value-added frozen fish. The benefits extended on the value-added frozen fish include project loans at low rates of interest and/or export loans on soft terms and at lower interest rates, air shipment of products at concessionary rates, etc.
Other measures foreseen to enable more efficient agricultural and food systems include: necessary financial assistance provided from Export Promotion Fund or Export Development Fund for the expansion of export; reduced airfare for the export of plants, fruits, flower including vegetables, and specially privileged products; initiatives taken to follow Farm to Market policy on the basis of contract farming and good agricultural practice; support of market promotion activities; and provision of export related training. Further, a data bank under the national trade portal will be established and administered under the initiative and supervision of the Ministry of Commerce that will assist exporters and importers through providing information on product specific export data, rules of origin criteria, sanitary and phytosanitary requirements, etc. Steps will also be taken to enhance capacity of the quality control agencies including quarantine wing of the Dept. of Agriculture Extension on the basis of a road-map to be designed for the improvement of quality testing and controlling system of the plant and plant products.
Regarding governance the Ministry of Commerce is the lead institution for the policy implementation and coordination. Aspects of monitoring and evaluation are not discussed under this policy.