Import and export activities will continue at all customs houses in Bangladesh, including Chittagong Port, during the upcoming Eid holidays to ensure uninterrupted trade operations despite the closure of government offices.

According to a directive issued by the National Board of Revenue (NBR) on March 10, customs houses and excise stations will remain operational on public and weekly holidays on a limited scale, except on Eid day. The decision will allow import and export processing between March 17 and March 23.

Bangladesh will keep customs houses operating on a limited scale during the Eid holidays to ensure uninterrupted trade.
Import and export processing will continue from March 17 to March 23, except on Eid day.
The move aims to prevent supply chain disruptions and support smooth cargo clearance and shipments during the extended holiday period.

The customs commissioners have been instructed to take necessary measures to keep trade-related services functioning during the holiday period. The move is aimed at ensuring that shipment procedures, cargo handling, documentation and clearance processes continue without disruption.

The instruction followed a request from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), which urged authorities to maintain customs operations during the Eid break to support export-oriented industries and sustain the flow of international trade.

The decision is intended to prevent supply chain disruptions during the extended holiday period and to help exporters and importers maintain production schedules and delivery commitments.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (JP)

Australia’s wool market extended its positive momentum this week, with the Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) rising by 16 cents as stronger demand for Merino fleece supported prices across the eastern selling centres. Sydney and Melbourne recorded firm gains on the opening day before easing slightly later in the week, while Fremantle saw limited support.

“The Northern Indicator closed 26 cents higher, and the Southern Indicator gained 8 cents. Despite a stronger Australian dollar creating headwinds for exporters, the market remained resilient, with the EMI and Western Market Indicator (WMI) rising by 35 US cents and 25 US cents respectively in US dollar terms,” the Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) Limited said in its Commentary for week 37 of the current Australian wool marketing season.

Australia’s wool market remained firm as strong demand for fine Merino fleece supported price gains despite currency headwinds.
Higher offerings and a slightly lower clearance rate suggest cautious seller participation, while continued premiums for quality wool indicate steady global demand.
Market direction may depend on currency movements and export demand in coming weeks.

Eastern selling centres outperformed Fremantle across most Merino fleece categories, reflecting stronger buyer competition across the larger catalogues. Finer Merino fleece in the eastern markets rose by 30–35 cents, while medium Merino fleece increased by 10–15 cents. In contrast, prices in Fremantle eased slightly, with finer fleece slipping 5–10 cents and medium types falling 10–15 cents, the AWI commentary noted.

Merino cardings led the market, gaining 25–30 cents across all three selling centres. Crossbred wool, however, continued to weaken, declining by around 15–20 cents.

Premiums remained strongest for well-styled fleece with high tensile strength and low vegetable matter content.

A total of 45,476 bales were offered during the week as sellers responded to firm market conditions. The clearance rate eased to 92.8 per cent, indicating some seller resistance to current price levels despite steady demand.

Next week’s national offering is expected to total 42,953 bales, with all three centres returning to the regular Tuesday–Wednesday selling schedule.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (CG)

A prolonged conflict in the Middle East could push up global fuel prices, increase costs across manufacturing and logistics supply chains, disrupt global trade and affect India’s energy supplies, according to the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).

Escalation could interfere with oil and gas shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route, the chamber cautioned.

A prolonged Middle East conflict could push up global fuel prices, raise costs across manufacturing and logistics supply chains, disrupt global trade and affect India’s energy supplies, ASSOCHAM has said.
India, which depends heavily on crude oil imports, may see its current account deficit widen and inflation rise if global oil prices surge, it said.
Energy-intensive industries could face challenges.

India, which depends heavily on crude oil imports, may see its current account deficit widen and inflation rise if global oil prices surge, the industry body said.

“Beyond goods trade, the Gulf is home to a large share of the Indian diaspora, who work in the construction, healthcare, hospitality and tourism industries,” chamber president N K Minda said, drawing attention to remittances from the region.

India imported goods worth about $98.7 billion from the region last year. These included energy, fertilisers and industrial inputs.

Energy-intensive industries could face challenges if disruptions continue, ASSOCHAM noted.

Container shipments and product deliveries across regions are also being delayed.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)