The government yesterday dispelled apprehensions about shortfall in export earnings this fiscal year and forecast that the earnings would (n : stead exceed the target despite the adversities caused by

I the recent political unrest, re ports UNB

The Ministry of Commerce, at the 28th meeting of the Ex port Promotion Council (EPC) disclosed that the export earning during July 95 April 96 stood at 3 166 bullion US

The earnings marked an increase bv 9 per cent over (he figures of the corresponding months of the last fiscal year

After a slowdown in the troubled months of February and March, monthly export earnings climbed to 336 mil lion dollars in April. The Min istry expressed the hope that export earnings would exceed the annual target of 3.800 mil lion dollars if the trend in April continued tn May and

Atviaer for the Ministries of Commerce. Jute. Industries and Textiles Shegufta Bakht Chowdhury who presided over the EPC meeting attributed the success to efforts by the private sector

He advised (he exporters to be more dynamic and innova

tive to face thes challenge In the post Uruguay Round global trade regime He also stressed the need for better coordina tion among ministries to boost exports

Different chambers and trade associations put forward a total of 51 proposals for consideration ol the Council

Both the government side and the private sector expressed concern at the trend of raising non tariff barriers by the developed c ountries to de veioping countries' exports

EPB Vice Chairman Anisul Huq Chowdhury cautioned the exporters sbout growing

threats of non-tartff barriers against some of the country's major items, including shrimp, readymade garments and leather

Commerce Secretary A H Mofazzel Karim advised exporters. specially the people In the shrimp sector, to do away with unholy practices which could jeopardise the market

Ar< ordlng to an analysis of the export performance this tear, readymade garments, nitware raw Jute. Jute and chemical products fared better than last year On the contrary, earnings from frozen foods, leather and jute goods dro pped in spite of rise in their

international prices.

Our Staff Correspondent adds: FBCC1 Vice President Rashidiizzaman Dudu. Metto Klitan Chamber President

moon H Chowdhury. Dhaka Chamber President All Hossain were among the private sector leaders who spoke al I he meeting.

FBCCI Vice President suggested for making export in come tax tree

In a written paper the MCCI president suggested for taking measures tolall the 20 per cent couni er-veiling duty Imposed by India on Bang ladrshl exports. In violation of the SAPTA

The BGMEA demanded waiving of pre-determined value addition rate from non quota ready made garments Items or fixation of the highest ceiling of value addition at 10 per cent.

Bangladesh Jute Association demanded implementation of the government directives to waive Interests on the due loans' of raw lute exporters and withdrawal of the system of tax-al source

Senior officials of some ministries and departments Including foreign secretary Fanique Sobhan attended the meeting.