ExIm thru land ports halted for days

The export-import trade between Bangladesh and India through Benapole and Burimari land ports had remained suspended for the past three days due to internet disconnections, thus causing huge business as well as financial losses.
Only six trucks of fish and fruit were manually imported through Benapole port last Sunday, reports our correspondent from Benapole.
Trouble arose regarding consignment as duty on goods could not be deposited digitally.
Now, 2,000 goods trucks are waiting on Indian side to enter Benapole port. If the imported raw materials could not be delivered in time, industrial production may be disrupted.
Huge industrial and garment raw materials remain stuck on Indian side for long.
The revenue target of the Benapole Customs House is Tk 250 million daily, said officials. But it is not possible to meet the revenue target in this unusual situation.
India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industries director Motiar Rahman said, "About 2,000 trucks laden with industrial raw materials remain stuck on Indian side for a long time. Due to internet shutdown, goods production may halt any time."
Benapole customs joint commissioner Md Hafijur Rahman said, "Indian goods trucks cannot enter the Benapole port due to disconnection of internet."
It is very tough to activate import-export trade without internet service, according to him.
According to our Lalmonirhat correspondent, trade between India and Bhutan was almost suspended since last Saturday.
Banking service as well as communication between importers and exporters was fully closed for no internet service for days.
Hard rock, stone and some other goods are imported from India and Bhutan. Some 150-220 stone-carrying trucks enter the Burimari port on a normal day. But the number is now 100-150.
Some 10-12 Bhutanese trucks cross the port daily in normal time. Before Saturday, we released many trucks after doing tax formalities online and some manually. But from Saturday, work almost halted due to banking and internet service.
Immigration sources said foreign travellers from both countries reduced significantly. But on 21 July, 529 medical students of Nepal, India and Bhutan returned home through this port, immigration sources confirmed.
Ruhul Amin Babul, president of Burimari Port Importers and Exporters Association, said internet banking and internet service disruptions badly hit both trade and revenue earnings.