All exporters to get bonded warehouse facilities: Amir Khosru

The government plans to extend bonded warehouse facilities to all export-oriented industries, ending a long-standing policy that primarily benefited the readymade garment sector, said Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury.

Speaking at a pre-budget roundtable organised by the Dhaka Forum Initiative (DFI) yesterday (3 June), the finance minister said the move is part of a broader deregulation drive aimed at boosting exports, reducing business costs and encouraging the growth of non-traditional sectors.

“Anybody exporting anything from Bangladesh will be given permission for bonded warehouses,” Amir Khosru said. “It’s not just garments anymore,” he added.

The minister said exporters across sectors, including gold jewellery and other high-value manufactured goods, will be eligible for bonded warehouse facilities and back-to-back letters of credit (LC) support.

Amir Khosru said, “The government intends to make the scheme more accessible while reducing administrative burdens and opportunities for harassment.”

He said, “Businesses will no longer be required to renew bonded warehouse licences annually. Instead, audits will be conducted once every three to five years.”

“There will be no harassment on bond anymore. We will not allow that,” he added.

Amir Khosru said the government wants to create an environment where sectors such as jewellery manufacturing, diamond processing and other export industries can grow without being constrained by cumbersome regulations and import duties on raw materials.

He mentioned plans to promote the creative economy by supporting artisans, cultural workers and rural producers through improved access to finance, design services, branding and international markets.