Rice import has started through Hili land port of Dinajpur district after nine months of suspension.
The import started on Saturday afternoon with the arrival of three rice-laden trucks from India.
It is learnt that import of different varieties of rice through the Hili Port was suspended on October 31 of the last year after non-issuane of import permits (IPs) by the Ministry of Commerce. Later, the government again allowed to import rice in the wake of rising prices of rice in the local markets.
Rice trader Shamsul Islam said, "The import of rice from India had remained stopped for a long time. The price of rice in the local market has also been affected due to this. However, if Indian rice import continues, the price in local market may go down a bit.''
Hili Port public relations officer Sohrab Hossain Pratab Mallik said, ''Rice import has resumed through the port after long nine months. Before that, rice arrived at the port on October 31 last year. Rice import will continue from now on.''
