China has been able to push India to second place and take the top slot as an import source for Bangladesh, sources reported.

Bangladesh imported 32.14 billion taka ($494.5 million) worth goods from China during July-September period against 27.08 billion taka ( $416.6 million) imported from India during same period, revealed Chief Controller of Import and Export (CCIF) statistics.

Textile fabrics, capital machinery and dyeing chemicals were the major export items that helped China attain the position of top importer for Bangladesh during the first three months of 2005-06.

Textile import of Bangladesh were worth 16.54 billion taka ($254.5 million) from China, whereas Indian imports stood at 5.26 billion taka ($81 million) during the period.

Capital machinery imported was worth 6.6 billion taka ($101.5 million) whereas Indian import accounted for 3.35 billion taka ($51. 5 million).

Dyes and chemical imports combined worth 3.73 billion taka ($57.5 million) from China against 2.53 billion taka ($38.9 million) from India.

But iron products, vehicles and spare parts, and mineral product items imported more from India were more than Chinese imports, CCIF sources said.

China’s goods have wide price range and easy trade procedure backed with faster transport, an importer explained.

China imports to Bangladesh within 25 days while India takes 35 days to deliver goods from that country, it was informed.