Tariff Commission to scrutinise duty structure: Jalil

Commerce Minister Mohammed Abdul Jalil yesterday disclosed that he has asked the chairman of the Tariff Commission to scrutinise the present tariff structure and suggest changes to encourage entrepreneurship in the country.

"If the changes are found to be logical then we will go ahead with these to boost industrialisation," Jalil said at the launching ceremony of Nitol Cement Industry Ltd, the first white cement manufacturing plant in Bangladesh.

The commerce minister said that he was expecting the proposed changes in a few days.

Nitol Group of Industries yesterday formally launched its first white cement factory in the country, capable of meeting the total local demand for such products.

Company officials said the factory is capable of producing 20,000 metric tonnes of white cement a year which is well capable of meeting the country's annual demand.

"It's our new millennium gift to the people of Bangladesh," Chairman of Nitol Group Abdul Matlub Ahmad said at the launching ceremony.

The industry has been set up with technical support from North Korean engineers.

Speaking on the occasion, the Nitol chairman said Bangladesh is traditionally bent on cement imports to meet local demands.

Getting the right quality and quantity of cement from the market has been the biggest problem for the real estate sector, he said. "Imported cement does not bear any manufacturing date, which is a real problem for the consumers. But the establishment of cement plants in Bangladesh are helping to swiftly say goodbye to these problems.

Locally-produced cement is fresh and delivered directly to the builders and consumers. As a result, the cunsumers prefer local cement to imported ones, Matlub said.

The chairman, however, suggested that the government reduces duty on raw materials to make the new industries viable.

Speaking on the occasion Commerce Minister Abdul Jalil said that he would consider the duty reduction proposals if these were found to be logical. "If necessary, I will talk to my Cabinet colleagues on the matter."

DPRK Ambassador Ri Sang IL said that the new cement project was a reflection of friendship between Bangladesh and North Korea. He, however, cautioned about the conspiracy against the developing countries in the name of liberalisation. If the process of liberalisation continues, then the developing countries will be victimised, he observed.