Economy
Concerns Mount Over Revenue Loss as South Asia’s Largest Land Port Curtails Operations
Bangladeshi officials are grappling with fears of revenue loss as the largest land port in South Asia, situated along the India-Bangladesh border, has ceased operations for 10 hours each day since July 11.
The Petrapole Land Port in India, crucial for trade between the two nations, has been shutting down from 6 PM to 8 AM daily, without providing any explanation for the closure, according to officials from the Benapole Land Authority in Bangladesh. This unexpected halt has left Bangladeshi authorities and traders in a state of uncertainty, as there is no indication of when the operations might resume to normalcy.
Industry insiders warn that this disruption could lead to a significant revenue shortfall at Benapole port due to decreased imports, adversely affecting Bangladeshi importers with delayed product deliveries.
Rezaul Karim, Director of Traffic at Benapole Land Port Authority, emphasized that while Benapole has been maintaining 24-hour operations, Petrapole’s recent restrictions are hindering cargo truck movements after evening.
“We have inquired with the Petrapole port authority about the reasons for halting trade services after evening. They responded that the matter is under discussion with relevant authorities,” Karim said.
Sultan Mahmud Bipul, Secretary of Benapole C&F Agent Association International Checkpost Affairs, highlighted the fiscal implications of this disruption. “Benapole port has set a revenue target of Tk6,705 crore from imported goods for the fiscal year 2024-25. If the 24-hour import facility remains discontinued, it will severely impact our revenue targets,” he noted.
Ziaur Rahman, General Secretary of Benapole Landport Importers and Exporters Association, pointed out the severe impact on trade, particularly with perishable goods. “Traders dealing with perishable food products are incurring the biggest losses due to this halt. The inability of goods trucks to enter after evening will widen the trade deficit,” Rahman remarked.
As the situation unfolds, the Benapole Land Port Authority and associated trade bodies continue to seek clarity and resolution from their Indian counterparts to mitigate the economic repercussions of this operational disruption.
The newest tranche of US funding will assist Bangladesh towards a more inclusive, equitable and democratic course for its people, the US Embassy in Dhaka said today (16 September).
According to the embassy, from 2021-2026, USAID has committed nearly $1 billion to help improve the lives of the Bangladeshi people.
During the US delegation’s visit yesterday (15 September), USAID signed a development agreement worth over $200 million with the interim government to support Bangladesh in advancing development, strengthening governance, expanding trade, and creating greater opportunities for the Bangladeshis to build a brighter and more prosperous future.
The officials discussed ways to support inclusive economic opportunities for the people of Bangladesh, ensure financial stability, and strengthen democratic governance.
The US interagency delegation held meetings with key advisers for the Bangladesh interim government, including Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain, and Finance and Commerce Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed yesterday.
The US delegation included Department of Treasury Assistant Secretary Brent Neiman, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu, USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator for Asia Änjali Kaur, and Assistant US Trade Representative Brendan Lynch.
Bangladeshi landowners are set to regain around 200 acres of land that had shifted into Indian territory due to the erosion of the Padma River along the Daulatpur border in Kushtia. This decision followed a joint agreement reached during a meeting between the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and India’s Border Security Force (BSF) on Sunday.
The land in question, situated in the Challishpara area of Ramkrishnapur union, became disputed due to the shifting course of the Padma River and natural disasters, which disrupted boundary markers over a three-kilometer stretch. The issue was first identified in a survey earlier this year.
Lieutenant Colonel M Mahbub Murshed Rahman, commander of BGB’s 47th Battalion, confirmed the decision to resurvey the area and return the land to its rightful owners. A survey on February 10 revealed that approximately 200 acres of Bangladeshi land had ended up inside Indian territory, while 40 acres of Indian land were found in Bangladesh.
Both countries plan to officially correct the boundaries in October, following the resurvey. Sunday’s meeting, held at the Jamalpur Border Outpost, also addressed broader issues like preventing border killings and tackling drug trafficking.
Lt Col Rahman stressed that no one will be allowed to use the disputed land until the resurvey is complete. He also expressed Bangladesh’s strong opposition to recent border killings, urging the BSF to prevent the detention of innocent citizens and curb illegal cross-border activities, especially ahead of Durga Puja.
The holy Eid-e-Miladunnabi, commemorating the birth and demise of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), is being observed across Bangladesh today with profound religious reverence. The observance was confirmed during the National Moon Sighting Committee’s meeting on September 4, held at the Islamic Foundation’s Conference Room in Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. The meeting was chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Md Abdul Hamid Jamaddar, as announced in a press release.
The committee confirmed that the moon of Rabiul Awal 1446 Hijri was sighted in the sky of Bangladesh on September 4, marking the beginning of the holy month of Rabiul Awal from September 5 (Thursday).
On this day in 570, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was born in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, bringing divine blessings and messages of peace to humanity. He passed away on the same date, 12th Rabiul Awal, of the Hijri calendar.
In honor of the occasion, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and the Chief Adviser to the interim government, Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus, issued separate messages, extending greetings to the people of Bangladesh and Muslims worldwide.
To mark the day, Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar are airing special programmes, while various national newspapers have published supplements underscoring the significance of the event. The day is also observed as a public holiday throughout the country.
