Revenue earnings from Sonamasjid landport fall
Monday, 17 September 2007
Our Correspondent
RAJSHAHI, Sept 16: The revenue earnings from Sonamasjid land port has decreased drastically due to fall in import of fruits through this port.
While visiting Sonamasjid recently, this correspondent found that fruit importers are abandoning this port and using the Hili land port in northern region instead because they are getting more facilities there.
Revenue earning of Sonamasjid land port in August this year was taka 8.541 million.
In an average, this port used to receive 45-50 trucks of fruits per day from India. But in August this year, the Hili land port started giving more facilities in releasing of commodities. That is why only 6-7 fruit trucks are now coming through the Sonamasjid land port.
Moreover, goods imported through Sonamasjid not only face difficulties with the customs but also face harassment from authorities of Panama Sonamasjid Port Limited, a private agent for clearing and forwarding of import and export goods. As a result, traders are unwilling to import perishable goods like fruits through Sonamasjid land port. The traders told this correspondent that though they are importing their goods according to the government rules, they are facing harassment inside the port area of Sonamasjid.
On the other hand Hili land port was supposed to be turned into a private port but it has not been done yet. The traders are therefore getting extra facilities from that port. The traders also added that they do not face any harassment in importing their goods through the Hili port. After talking to the C&F agents and custom officials, this correspondent found that the Sonamasjid land port being a private company, they are forced to realise more fees fixed under the government rules.
RAJSHAHI, Sept 16: The revenue earnings from Sonamasjid land port has decreased drastically due to fall in import of fruits through this port.
While visiting Sonamasjid recently, this correspondent found that fruit importers are abandoning this port and using the Hili land port in northern region instead because they are getting more facilities there.
Revenue earning of Sonamasjid land port in August this year was taka 8.541 million.
In an average, this port used to receive 45-50 trucks of fruits per day from India. But in August this year, the Hili land port started giving more facilities in releasing of commodities. That is why only 6-7 fruit trucks are now coming through the Sonamasjid land port.
Moreover, goods imported through Sonamasjid not only face difficulties with the customs but also face harassment from authorities of Panama Sonamasjid Port Limited, a private agent for clearing and forwarding of import and export goods. As a result, traders are unwilling to import perishable goods like fruits through Sonamasjid land port. The traders told this correspondent that though they are importing their goods according to the government rules, they are facing harassment inside the port area of Sonamasjid.
On the other hand Hili land port was supposed to be turned into a private port but it has not been done yet. The traders are therefore getting extra facilities from that port. The traders also added that they do not face any harassment in importing their goods through the Hili port. After talking to the C&F agents and custom officials, this correspondent found that the Sonamasjid land port being a private company, they are forced to realise more fees fixed under the government rules.