Rokonuzaman, Benapole
Export to India through Benapole land-port has been increased around double during 2019 than that of the previous year, amounting to Tk 7,000 crore; thanks to the infrastructure development. The volume of export has also been increased by 80 percent totalling six lakh 50 tonnes during the same period.
It is learnt, the income from the export as well as the volume of export-items increased due to a huge demand of Bangladeshi products in Indian markets. With the increase in export volume, earnings of foreign exchange has also been increased with the creation of new jobs.
Aminul Haque, Vice-President of Benapole Import Export Association said, 80 percent of the total land trade with India is conducted through Benapole land-port. Due to a hassle free road communication with India, importers and exporters of both the countries are interested to use this port for their regular trading. Though some traders in Benapole complained, they were facing great problem and being harassed by the Indian land port authorities in exporting the goods to India.
Alim Mia, a Bangladeshi truck driver who carries export goods across the border complained, BSF members harassed the Bangladeshi truck drivers by the name of searching. The BSF stopped the trucks and searched all sorts of export merchandise on the trucks without specific allegations. They alleged, occasionally Bangladeshi truck drivers are physically abused and assaulted. As a result of such behaviour of BSF, the export through this port is being hampered. Export of goods to India is also being hampered due to realisation of extra toll in different spots and for harassment of labourers at Petrapole land-port in India.
Benapole Customs Commissioner Belal Hossain Chowdhury has attributed the growth of recent export goods and increase of export earnings to the opening of a dedicated by-pass road connecting Benapole and Petrapole for faster movement of export goods and due to introduction of digital tax collection process. Raw materials imported for making various goods examined in a day at the port, he said.
The products exported to India mainly include apparel items, leftover garments, rice-powder, Raw, fresh fish, Mahogany wood, mosquito net materials, jute, thread made from jute goods, jute bags, plastic bottles, ceramics and food items.
Export of shirts, t-shirts, jeans and trousers for different renowned brands, including Zara, FHM and Raymond, has also been started through the port recently, earlier those were sent through air shipment.
