Bangladesh Bans Export Of Rice Expect Aromatic Varieties For Six Months

Dhaka, Bangladesh (AHN) - Bangladesh on Tuesday banned export of all but aromatic varieties of rice for six months.

The ban was imposed to increase the supply of rice in the domestic market, control its soaring prices and ensure its availability in the country, the commerce ministry said in an executive order.

"We have to take the decision as some exporters have been found exporting some general varieties including Miniket, Paijam, Nazirshail despite scarcity at home," Commerce Secretary Firoz Ahmed was quoted as saying by the Financial Express, a local newspaper.

"We haven't banned the export of aromatic rice as there is a fairly large market for the varieties in the Middle East, America and Britain," the secretary said, adding the government would strictly enforce the ban.

The action came after the state-run Export Promotion Bureau revealed last week that a group of exporters had cashed in on the government's free rice export policy by shipping out a record amount of the staple.

Rice worth $5.42 million was exported between July 2007 and February, up from $4.11 million during the same period a year ago, despite rice shortages at home.