Around 300 Bangladeshi products have been offered a duty-free access to the Malaysian market.
In its effort to position the country on the world map as Asia's biggest shopping hub for the tourists, the Malaysian Government has annulled import duty on goods imported from Bangladesh, according to the officials of the Dhaka-based Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).
Apparels, blankets, suits, table clothes, kids wear, bed spreads, curtains, lingerie, intimate wears, night wears and mosquito nettings are all included in the list of products which have been offered duty-free access to Malaysia.
Earlier, import duties on apparels and hats ranged between 5-20 percent, whereas duty on bed sheets, curtains, blankets and table clothes ranged between 10-20 percent.
In 2010, Malaysia had agreed to grant Bangladesh's 19 exportable items a duty-free access to its market, provided Bangladesh agrees to begin negotiations on mutual free trade agreement (FTA).
At present, Malaysia is one of Bangladesh's leading trade partners and exported around US$ 35 million worth of goods to Malaysia during 2009-10 fiscal.
Fibre2fashion News Desk - India