As exports to Bangladesh from India through various land ports in West Bengal resumed some time back, the Benapole Customs Clearing and Forwarding Agents’ Association in Bangladesh has now submitted a representation to the Bangoan sub-divisional officer (SDO) in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district seeking a meeting with the authorities to resume exports. Bangladeshi traders have assured the Indian authorities that they will follow all health safety protocols.
“There should be mutual faith. If we believe India, then we also expect a reciprocating effect in our case. So India should take steps to begin imports and allow our export to commence as trade and eco-system are suffering due to low volume,” the letter to the SDO said. Raw jute is an important commodity that is imported from Bangladesh. A notification by the customs department of the neighbouring country said Bangladesh can export to India between 6 am and 6 pm and drivers of trucks should have protective gears, an Indian news agency reported.
Drivers will not be allowed to get down from the vehicles at the Indian unloading sites. After the resumption of exports earlier this month, the delivery of consignments via Petrapole land port, the largest facility on the Indo-Bangla border, has reached a healthy level with 250 trucks per day crossing over to Bangladesh. Exports to the neighbouring country through other land ports in West Bengal such as Mahadipur in Malda, Changrabandha in Cooch Behar, Fulbari in Jalpaiguri, Hilli in South Dinajpur have been picking up.
