February 12, 2002	Tuesday	Ziqa’ad 28, 1422

ISLAMABAD, Feb 11: Bangladesh has unilaterally sought zero rate of duty on its export of around 21 categories of items to Pakistan.

Informed sources told Dawn on Monday that during the recent visit of commerce minister Abdul Razak Dawood to Dhaka, the list of the items was handed over to him for consideration.

The categories on which, Bangladesh seeking exemption from import duties leviable in Pakistan included — jute and jute products, tea, beetle leaf, bamboo, leather products, pharmaceutical products, ceramics, knitware, garments and vegetable materials.

Bangladesh average share in Pakistan’s total export and import stood at 1.4 per cent and 0.3 per cent respectively recorded during the year 2000-01.

The Bangladesh trade deficit with Pakistan stood at $1,000.214 million in the year 2000-02.