Amin Helali, the senior vice president and head of the market monitoring cell of Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), an apex organization of businessmen, said that the decision to import onions from other countries will deepen the existing crisis due to the increase in onion prices. Both farmers and importers are likely to be affected. He also criticized the role of the media for the ongoing debate on onion.
Amin Helali said these things in an interview given to Barta24.com on Monday (December 11) evening. Planning Editor Ashraful Islam talked with Amin Helali..
Barta24.com: The market situation is gradually heating up. Especially the price of onion is increasing by leaps and bounds. What steps are you taking in this situation as the top organization of businessmen?
Amin Helali: Bangladeshi media is much stronger than other parts of the world. But you (the media) created the onion riot. Dishonest people are everywhere. People are easily confused. India does not ban onion exports, narrowing till 31 March 2024; for their internal needs. It is their policy; our country also has that policy. Do we export fragrant rice or various special rice? Many of the agricultural products we export require permission from the Ministry of Commerce. Our production is sometimes more and sometimes less. If I bring more products in the name of import, then we have to re-export again. That is why the government controls it. Not all items, but agricultural products are regulated by the government. India is doing the same. Not such an abnormal case. India was unhappy with our election or political reasons and did this to Bangladesh, this is not the case. India did this for their domestic market needs. Till 31st March (2024) if one wants to export onion, it has to be done with the permission of the central government. They can't do it freely. If some of their exporters say, my onion production has increased. If there is a nearby market, I export it because India is thousands of miles from one end to the other. But because of that letter from India, the way the media of Bangladesh got up.... the way it gave the news. Consumers have started to buy onions for the upcoming Eid al-Azha. But why should I bring home stock? Now is the beginning of onion season. Do we need imports now? New onions have already started to appear in the market. Whenever the media hit the bomb, the whole of Bangladesh but.... I spoke to the leaders of 10 markets today. We said who extended for a day? After discussion, they said that there may be 10 maunds of goods in the market. People lined up to get fair price products. Sellers will get a chance. He is also intelligent. The shop has also increased which shouldn't happen.
Barta24.com: You talked about media being responsible, but do you not have any responsibility as the top organization of businessmen?
Amin Helali: We must take action. We will call everyone this week and have a meeting. Let's see who has stock. How many days will we need? I spoke to Shyambazar, Shyambazar gave me a report today, today the wholesale (onion) price is Tk. 90-100.
Barta24.com: But you must know, it is much more at the consumer level... You are heading the monitoring cell....
Amin Helali: It's destabilized now. But I hope it will be normal in a day or two. When we sit with the representatives of all the markets, when they speak; It will be much smoother then. We all have a responsibility for this. The media also has a responsibility. But the issue is coming in spades, except for one or two media. As already mentioned, India has limited, not stopped exports till March. On the other hand, onion picking season has started in the country. In 7 days the onion market will be flooded. The government is in turmoil due to media news. Now it will be seen that the government will ask to import onions from Turkey, Iran. Now if they import new onions from outside, where will the onions of my country's producers go? .
Barta24.com: Does that mean you are worried about the price of onions produced by farmers?
Amin Helali: Of course. Where does it go? What happens if the farmer dies? It has become an abnormal case. People are panicking. 80-90 or 95 taka onion has become 180 taka or 200 taka. Does it panic? We will sit with all concerned this week to resolve the crisis. I will invite you too. Nation can come to a consensus by listening to everyone. We are collecting data, we want to comment responsibly. There is no chance of crisis. On the contrary, there is already a fear of farmers dying. Suppose India is not giving. Sarkar said, bring it from wherever you can. It was seen that it was brought by booking from all places. There will be an excess of onions here. Everyone will sell at a lower price to get their capital out. The farmer will also die, the importer will also die. The farmer will not get his cost of production. The crisis will increase. Farmers will do something other than onion production.
Barta24.com: Does that mean you fear that the crisis will intensify?
Amin Helali: Yes, I am afraid. Everyone should be responsible. Consumers, sellers above all media should also be responsible. The media in particular should be the most responsible because the people of the whole country can become panic due to media news.