Bangladesh’s betel leaf exporters are no longer required to obtain mandatory certification from the Bangladesh Betel Leaf Exporters Association (BBLEA) for each consignment, following a significant policy shift aimed at reducing trade barriers.
In a circular issued on Thursday, Bangladesh Bank directed authorised dealer banks to implement the updated export procedure.
The decision comes after the Ministry of Commerce’s directive on 8 April, which removed the earlier stipulations that made association membership and certification a prerequisite for export eligibility.
The central bank confirmed that the new guidelines are to be enforced immediately across the banking system, ensuring a smoother export process for betel leaf traders.
Previously, exporters had to secure certification from the BBLEA for each consignment, a requirement that was often seen as a procedural hurdle. Under the new framework, they are now allowed to export betel leaves without the need for consignment-specific certification.
The change overturns an office order issued on 6 May 2003, which had enforced association membership and certification as compulsory for betel leaf exports.
The revised policy is expected to enhance the efficiency of the sector and foster increased export activity.
