678 tons of potatoes imported from India via Hili

The import of potatoes from India to Bangladesh has increased as 678 tons were imported on Wednesday through the Hili landport.

Importers said they will continue to import potatoes until the demand remains in the domestic market.

On Tuesday, 348 tons of potatoes were imported in 13 trucks and on Monday, 57 tons of potatoes were imported in two trucks through the port.

Potato imports through the port continued on Thursday as well.

Sahabul Islam, a potato importer at the Hili land port, said the government permitted to import potatoes from India on February 1 to keep the supply of potatoes normal in the country. 

The permission to import potatoes was valid till March 15. Later, the government extended it till March 31. The deadline has been extended again to April 30, he added.

Sohrab Hossain, public relations officer of Hili land port, said potatoes were being imported irregularly through the land port since permission was granted. However, the import of potatoes through the port has increased slightly this week. 

As the government's revenue collection has increased due to the import of potatoes, the daily income of the port authority has increased. At the same time, the income of the workers working in the port has increased a lot, he added.