The fiscal 1990-91 witnessed comparatively less expenditure on account of imports of foodgrains, yarn, transport spares than that of fiscal 1989-90, Bangladesh Economic Survey says.

For paying foodgrain import bills, Taka 1125 crore was spent in 1989-90 fiscal and Taka 1,118 crore spent during last fiscal. It means expendi-

ture was one per cent less during the last fiscal than the previous year. The survey said, wheat was imported in 1990-91 instead of wheat with a view to saving reserve money.

A total of Taka 69 crore was saved from sugar import during the last fiscal. The expense for sugar import was Taka 43 crore in 1990-91 which is 61.6 per cent less than the previous fiscal.

The yarn Import has also been reduced during the last fiscal saving Taka 20 crore reserve money. Taka 244 crore was spent for Import of 62 million pound yarn in '89-90 but it was Taka 224 crore for 50 million pound yarn during the last year.

Meanwhile, expenditure for textile materials has been increased for importing textile products Taka 222 crore more was spent during the last fiscal compared to the previous year. The import price was Taka 976 crore last year while it was Taka 754 crore in 1989-90.

The country saved Taka 122 crore last year from import of edible oil. In 1990-91 Taka 596 crore was allocated for oil import which is 17 per cent less than the allocation of

1989-90.

Imports of Industrial products, consumer Items and other commodities cost Taka 2,695 crore last year but In 1989-90, Taka 2,769 crore was spent. The expense of these imported commodities in this year was 2.7 per cent less than that of 89-90.

The country has also reduced import expense of capital products, transport and other instruments during the last fiscal which was observed by a comparative study with that of previous year. Taka 3,816 crore was allocated for 1990-91 while Taka 4.266 crore was spent in 1989-90.

The import expenses were sharply increased in the field of petroleum and petroleum products during the last fiscal. This Is 65.1 per cent higher than in the previous year.

In 1989-90 the country imported cements worth Taka 286 crore. Cement import in 1990-91 valued at Taka 341

Drug materials and chemical products cost Taka 408 crore during last fiscal year while the amount of imported drug materials and chemical products was Taka 359 crore in 1989-90.