Businesses have suspended boulder stone imports from India and Bhutan via Burimari land port in Lalmonirhat since February 1, demanding lower prices from exporters.

For the last two months, importers have been incurring losses as India and Bhutan have gradually increased boulder stone prices, Abu Raiyan Ashari Rachi, president of the Burimari Land Port Importers-Exporters Association, told The Daily Star.

Local businesses now seek a return to the prices from two months ago when they imported Torsha boulder stone from Bhutan at $15 per tonne, Samsi stone at $14 per tonne, and Indian Torsha stone at $10 per tonne, he said.

Currently, the prices of each stone variety have increased by approximately $1 for every tonne, he added.

Until Indian and Bhutanese exporters revise the boulder stone prices, imports through Burimari will remain suspended, Rachi stated.

Earlier in mid-January, importers sent letters to Indian and Bhutanese exporters, requesting price reductions, as they are struggling with rising bank interest rates and import costs, he said.

"But no boulder stone exporter has responded so far."

Meanwhile, Farooq Hossain, president of the Burimari Land Port C&F Agents Association, said they have met with their Indian and Bhutanese counterparts to negotiate stone prices, but no decision has been reached.

"No boulder stone will be imported through Burimari if exporters from India and Bhutan refuse to supply stones at the prices set by Bangladeshi businesses," he said.