Mangalore :  Konkodi Padmanabha, CAMPCO Chairman has said that India has incurred huge losses due to the import of huge quantity of arecanut from Bangladesh. He said since the past nine months, arecanut valued at over Rs 500 crores has been imported to India @ 0% duty from under developed Countries. A total of 63 per cent of the imports are from Bangladesh, he said adding  Bangladesh was  diverting arecanut imported from Indonesia to India , out of which 63% is imported from Bangladesh. It is observed that the exported quantity   by getting certificate of origin.

Speaking to reporters, he said  the CAMPCO Chairman has brought this to the notice of  the officials of Finance and Commerce Ministry in writing. He said the demand of arecanut in the country can be fulfilled by the local growers with arecanut produced in 12 states. DGFT may keep a strict vigil on the import of Arecanut and may raise the Minimum Import Price at least by Rs 40/- per kg (Rs. 115/- per kg). It is requested to the Central Government to take a decision in  implementing of 150% Import Duty on Arecanut imported from SAARC countries in the next budget.  A delegation of CAMPCO during a recent visit to Delhi had apprised the authorities of the matter

Vice President, CAMPCO K Satheeshchandra Bhandary and Managing Director, CAMPCO M Suresh Bhandary were also present.