It is reported that coal exports from Meghalaya to Bangladesh resumed on August 1st 2009 after the neighboring country lifted its ban.

Official sources said that the ban on coal from Meghalaya was imposed by Bangladesh on June 30 citing high sulphur content which caused pollution, but was lifted after a fortnight as brick kilns in that country prefer coal from the state due to its low ash content.

The permit for import of coal by Bangladesh has been extended for the next one year.

Mr Dolly Khonglah secretary of Meghalaya International Coal Exporter and Importers Association, confirming that the trade will resume from tomorrow said about 200-250 loaded trucks with 15 tonnes coal each is exported every day during the peak season.

Meghalaya exports good volume of coal to Bangladesh every year at a cost of USD 52 per tonne. The state government gets a royalty of INR 165 per tonne of coal which is a major source of revenue earning.

This was the sixth time in eight years that the Bangladesh government has imposed the ban but lifted it every time after a couple of weeks due to pressure from its trading lobbies.

(Sourced from Assamtribune.com)