Benapole customs falls short of revenue target

BENAPOLE, Apr 12: Benapole Customs House has fallen short of its targeted revenue by Tk 6.07 billion (607 crore) in the first nine months of the current 2021-22 fiscal as the customs house collected Tk 32.86 billion (3, 286 crore) against a target of Tk 38.94 billion (3,894 crore).
In the first nine months of this year, 18,556 tonnes of goods have been imported through Benapole port, said customs officials.
The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has set a revenue target of Tk 62.45 billion (6,245 crore) for imported goods this fiscal year, they added.
According to some Bangladeshi traders, businessmen of both India and Bangladesh prefer this port for its easy transportation. But now, they said they cannot import products as per demand for the lack of necessary infrastructures in the port.
For this, the port's revenue is collapsing, they added.
The traders' demand of setting up branches of Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) and Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research at Benapole Customs House has not been implemented yet.
Importer Reznur Rahman Razon said, "Bangladeshi businessmen are being harassed in the name of illegal truck parking in Kalitala of India."
"If it stops, the target of collecting revenue will double soon," he added.
He further said, "It takes a month for a truck to enter the Benapole port. On the other hand, importers have to pay Tk 2,000 per truck per day for staying at the port. For this, many of us moved from this port."
Matiar Rahman, Director, India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industries, said, "It is natural that traders will be interested in import and export where they get benefits. Chattogram port offers them a number of facilities. So, many of these importers are shifting there."
"In order to increase Benapole port's revenue, it is necessary to ensure customs and legal facilities at the port," he added.
Benapole Customs House Commissioner Azizul Islam also admitted that the port has lack of adequate facilities.
However, Benapole Port Deputy Director (Traffic) Abdul Jalil said, "The work of installing 365 CCTV cameras has already been completed to beef up the port's security."
"Other steps have also been taken to develop the port's infrastructure. Acquisition of land for ware houses, construction of new warehouses and development of roads are going on in full swing," he added.
He also said that once these works are done, the port will see more trade and more revenue.

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