He said this at a views-exchange meeting with representatives of businesses and government agencies at the Secretariat on Saturday to keep fruit supply and market prices stable.

At the meeting, traders said the price of Malta had risen due to a supply shortage. In some weeks, only 12 to 29 containers of Malta arrived in the country, whereas about 15 containers are needed daily to meet demand. They also said imports had decreased due to high tariffs, transport and port costs, and losses on previous shipments.

After the traders' remarks, the commerce minister assured that tariff-related matters concerning Malta would be reviewed. He directed the National Consumer Rights Protection Directorate to take action if evidence of sales at abnormal prices was found.

Decision on dates' tariff this week

Considering the upcoming demand, the commerce minister called on traders to prepare for importing dates quickly. He said the government's decision on duties and taxes on dates would be announced this week.

To resolve the complications in determining the assessment value of dates, the Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission will meet with importers. After verifying international market prices and origin prices and setting a reasonable indicative price, a proposal on the matter will be sent to the National Board of Revenue (NBR).

The minister said that in the customs valuation system, traders should not come under unreasonable pressure, and there should also be no scope for revenue evasion by showing goods at a lower value. In this regard, both the government and traders must work with transparency.