Megh-B'desh traders talk on enhancement of rate coal failed

Shillong, Aug 10 (UNI) Talks between Northeast Coal and Limestone Exporters Co-ordination Committee (NECLECC) and Sylhet Coal Importers Group (SCIG) on enhancement of rate of coal exported to Bangladesh remained inconclusive as the parties failed to reach an agreement.

NECLECC chairperson Dolly Khonglah, however, said parlays would continue to resume export of coal from Meghalaya to Bangladesh, which had been stalled since July 1.

An 11-member team of importers from Bangladesh, led by SCIG president Dilwar Hussain arrived here on Thursday to discuss the demand of the Meghalaya exporters for enhancement of rate of coal exported to Bangladesh.

The exporters said the existing rate of coal at 40 dollars per metric ton should be hiked up to 50 dollars per metric ton. After a hectic bargain the SCIG delegation agreed to raise it up to 45 dollars per metric tonne, which the exporters flatly rejected.

Later on, the exporters brought down the rate to 48 dollars per mt, but Bangladesh importers refused to concede further.

A huge volume of coal to the tune 15,000 mt per day is exported to Bangladesh through the six land customs stations- Dawki, Ghasuapara, Shella, Ichamati Borsora and Sutarkandi along the Asom-Meghalaya sector.

''We hope that the ice would be broken soon,'' Mrs Khonglah averred.

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