New Delhi, Oct 4 (UNB) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday urged the Indian government to inform Bangladesh beforehand about any impending decision to ban the export of any product like onion so that Bangladesh can import that from alternative markets.
“Suddenly, you (India) have stopped exporting onion. We could have arranged from other countries if we had been informed about it beforehand. It’ll be better if you inform us beforehand of any such decision in the future,” the humorous Prime Minister said in Hindi.
The Prime Minister quipped that she has already directed her chef to stop using onion while cooking.
Sheikh Hasina was addressing the inaugural session of India-Bangladesh Business Forum, held at the Hotel ITC Maurya here, the capital city of India.
On September 29, the Indian government banned the export of onion with immediate effect till further orders for what it says improving domestic availability.
Meanwhile, a consignment of around 1,500 metric tonnes of onion loaded in 60 trucks under LCs opened before the existing ban started entering Bangladesh on Friday.
Indian Minister for Commerce & Industry and Railways Piyush Goyal, Bangladesh Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, FBCCI President Sheikh Fazle Rahim, President of Confederation of India Industries (CII) and also vice chairman of Toyota Kirloskar Motor Private Limited Vikram S. Kirloskar, FICCI President and also Managing Director of HSIL Limited Sandip Somany also spoke on the occasion.
ASSOCHAM President and Chairman of Welspun Group BK Goenka moderated the event.