Holcim set to start cement export to Tripura

Commerce Minister Altaf Hossain Choudhury speaks at a function arranged to celebrate the maiden cement export by Holcim (Bangladesh) Ltd yesterday in Dhaka. (From right) ML Debnath, president of Tripura Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Latifur Rahman, chairman of Holcim (Bangladesh) Ltd, and Veena Sikri, Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka, are also seen in the picture. PHOTO: STAR

Holcim (Bangladesh) Limited is all set to begin cement export to the eastern Indian state of Tripura this week.

Holcim, Bangladesh has achieved Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Certificate, the first Bangladeshi cement company to obtain the certificate.

Earlier, some other local cement companies had entered the Indian market but could not continue due to non-recognition from Indian standard authorities. But officials of Holcim said the company would be able to sustain export as it has achieved BIS Certificate.

Shipment procedures of Holcim's first consignment of 1,000 tonnes have already begun.

Addressing a function to celebrate the maiden export of the company, Commerce Minister Altaf Hossain Choudhury said Bangladesh has huge surplus production of cement.

"So, manufacturers can find a huge market in India especially in the eastern states. As Holcim gets Indian standard clearance and other companies are in line to get the same, Bangladesh's export to India will rise," he said.

Other Bangladeshi items also have huge market in Indian eastern states, he said hoping that it would contribute to narrow trade gap between the two countries.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Veena Sikri said a peaceful solution to disputes in lead-acid battery and cement export from Bangladesh show that bilateral dialogues between governments can bring an end to any trade differences.

Both the eastern states of India and Bangladesh hold immense trade prospects but lack of infrastructure keeps away the opportunities, she said.

Opening a riverine route between Agartala and Ashuganj, access to Chittagong port and rail link and bus service on Agartala-Kolkata route via Dhaka is a longstanding demand of the eastern states' businessmen of India, she said.

Latifur Rahman, chairman of Holcim (Bangladesh) and Transcom Group, said attaining BIS Certificate will help Holcim export cement to India in a sustainable way.

Expressing solidarity to the minister's statement he said many other Bangladeshi products have good market prospects in the eastern states of India which in turn will help narrow trade gap between Bangladesh and India.

ML Debnath, president of Tripura Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said, "We even need to import bricks. So, Bangladesh has many products to offer us. If infrastructure, transport and visa problems are solved, trade will flourish between India and Bangladesh."

Ramit Budhraja, managing director of Holcim (Bangladesh), said it took about one and a half years to comply with every step of quality process right from the limestone mines and clinker plants in Thailand to grinding plants in Bangladesh. With this people of Tripura will get cement at an affordable price, he expressed.