Betel Leaf Exporters Association declared dormant over export barriers, extortion allegations
The commerce ministry says the association’s activities have driven up export costs and narrowed overseas markets, while it also failed to submit mandatory documents to the relevant authorities.
The Ministry of Commerce has declared the Bangladesh Betel Leaf Exporters Association a dormant trade organisation over allegations that it obstructed shipments, delayed exports and used a syndicate to extort money, undermining growers' ability to secure fair prices.
The decision means the association can no longer carry out its activities, according to a ministry notification issued yesterday (18 October).
The notification, issued by the ministry's Trade Organisation-2 wing, said the association's activities had created obstacles for the country's betel leaf export trade, contributing to lower exports, higher costs and shrinking overseas markets.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
It also accused the association of acting against the objectives for which it was established.
The association failed to submit the required documents to the Ministry of Commerce and the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms (RJSC), as stipulated by the relevant laws and regulations, the notification said.
The ministry declared the association dormant under Section 6(1) of the Trade Organisations Act, 2022, and Rule 9(2) of the Trade Organisations Rules, 2025.
The notification said the RJSC held a hearing on the matter on 7 October and that the decision was taken following the outcome of the hearing.
The ministry sent the notification to the association's president and general secretary.
