The government has turned down the Bangladesh Agro-Processors Association (BAPA)

The government has turned down the Bangladesh Agro-Processors' Association (BAPA)'s proposal for providing cash incentive for the export of fragrant rice. The BAPA in a recent letter to commerce ministry suggested re-incentivising exporters of aromatic rice to facilitate export earnings, officials said. Food ministry is also against such facility on the export of scented rice, according to them. Cash incentive for fragrant rice export was withdrawn on 25 August 2009. It was introduced in October 2005. When contacted, a senior commerce ministry official says currently there is no option to reconsider this facility for aromatic rice exporters. According to the export policy (2018-21), there are opportunities to export 25 types of aromatic rice subject to special approval from commerce ministry. Presently, the ministry allows export of aromatic rice on a case-to-case basis. According to sector insiders and organisations concerned, the demand for Bangladeshi fragrant rice has ...