New import policy announced

December 31, 1972

IMPORT OF LUXURY ITEMS REMAINS BANNED

The import policy for the shipping period January-June, 1973, announced by Commerce Minister MR Siddiqui today envisages import of goods worth Tk 219 crore. The import list has been expanded with the addition of 16 new items which included linseed oil, corn oil, arms and ammunition, educational and mechanical toys and equipment for agricultural and irrigation work. The import of luxury items remains banned while there are provisions for import of essential commodities like medicines and baby food.

USSR KEEN TO ASSIST BANGLADESH

Minister for Industries Syed Nazrul Islam says in Dhaka today that the Soviet Union is keenly interested to assist in the economic development of Bangladesh. Talking to newsmen on his arrival at Dhaka Airport after attending the 50th anniversary of the USSR, Syed Nazrul informs that Breznev, the first secretary of the Soviet Communist Party, in his four-hour long report presented on the occasion discussed Bangladesh and his report demonstrated the Soviet desire to further strengthen relations with the country. The names of Bangladesh and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman are very familiar to each and every citizen of the Soviet Union, he adds. 

BHASHANI'S CALL FOR SOCIALISM

Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani, president of the Bangladesh Nationalist Awami Party, announces today that he would lead a deputation to Prime Minister Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman next week to discuss the 15-point charter of demands of the seven-party committee of action which is headed by the Maulana himself.

Addressing a peasant-worker rally at the Suhrawardy Uddyan today, Maulana Bhashani says that if Bangabandhu agrees to the charter of demands, the forthcoming elections would be free, fair and impartial. Whoever will emerge victorious in such an election, be it Awami League or any other party, he would ungrudgingly respect the electoral verdict, adds the Maulana. "But under any circumstances the struggle for socialism would continue," he reiterates.

Source: January 1, 1973 issues of Dainik Bangla, The Bangladesh Observer and Ittefaq.