Bangladesh exporters were unable to benefit from duty-free access to countries in the Asia Pacific because of small markets, non-tariff barriers, less demanding export items and lack of direct shipping links, exporters said.
Bangladesh was given duty-free access to Australia, Thailand, China, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and South Korea.
Footwear market of Thailand is very small, complained Tipu Sultan, President, Bangladesh Finished Leather and Leathergoods and Footwear Exporters' Association.
A Bangladesh business delegation will visit Thailand shortly to explore Thai market enhancing exports, said Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) Vice President Mir Shahbuddin Mohammad.
Commerce Ministry sources informed that China gave duty-free market access to 83 products from Bangladesh, while South Korea, Thailand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India allowed 139, 200, 74, 48, 25 items respectively.
Bangladesh's export to Australia was worth $35.83 million in 2004-05, as against imports worth $280.70 million, sources informed.
