Recent activities at Akhaura Land Port reveal a noticeable drop in revenue collection, drawing attention to its diminishing vibrancy. Both analysts and traders attribute this downturn to a confluence of factors which is a restrictive product import list and a tapering off of trade with neighboring India.
Currently, Akhaura permits over 50 different items for import, spanning from cattle and fish fry to agarbatti and cumin. Traders, expressing their concerns, mention that many of these items don’t garner significant demand or profits within the prevailing market. They advocate for an expansion of permissible products as a solution.
Fresh port data provides a detailed picture. For the fiscal year 2021-22, the port generated revenue of Tk7.61 crore against a staggering import value of Tk288.41 crore. This disparity grew even more pronounced in FY23 and FY24, revealing a sharp decline in revenue against imports.
Beyond the product types, there lies another concern. the port’s outdated infrastructure, which prolongs operations and adds unforeseen costs. Shafiqul Islam, General Secretary of the Akhaura Land Port Importers and Exporters Association, emphasized, “For trade to thrive, it’s essential for us to not only expand the type of goods but also improve our infrastructure.”
Exports to India have also seen a sharp drop over the last two fiscal years. The port recorded exports worth Tk680.12 crore to India in FY22, but this contracted to around Tk376.23 crore in FY23. Enhanced road and rail networks within India’s northeastern regions seem to inspire Indian traders to look inward for sourcing, reducing dependence on imports from Bangladesh.
Akhaura land port, which began its operations as a modest customs station in 1994, boasts a rich legacy. Elevated to full port status by 2008 due to its commercial relevance, it served as a pivotal conduit connecting Bangladeshi traders to India’s northeastern states.
Recognizing Akhaura’s potential, the Bangladeshi government has embarked on initiatives to rejuvenate trade here. The existing two-lane highway from Ashuganj River Port to Akhaura Land Port was transformed into four lanes. This ambitious project, with a budget of Tk5,791 crore, already saw over half of its vision realized. Officials nurture the optimism that this venture will catalyze international trade.
Simultaneously, a Tk80 crore project gears up for the port’s infrastructural metamorphosis. “The work of the infrastructural development project will start soon. Under that project, a new warehouse, two weight scales, a transshipment yard, and an office building will be constructed,” remarked Md Atikul Islam, Assistant Director of Akhaura Land Port.
With these strategic pivots and enhancements, Akhaura Land Port might very well reestablish itself as a key player within the South Asian trade domain.
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