Following India’s recent import embargo, Bangladesh’s exports through Satkhira’s Bhomra Land Port have drastically decreased in value, going from almost US $ 1.3 million to just US $ 243,000.
Customs data indicates that 106 vehicles brought a range of items, including ready-made clothing and jute yarn, across the border on 17th May. That day’s total export weight was 835.446 tonnes, or about US $ 1.3 million.
However, only 28 trucks were able to cross the border the next day after India placed restrictions on 17th May. These shipments included travel bags, cotton knitted fabrics, jute yarn, yarn trash, and reprocessed plastics. The overall value of the products exported dropped to almost US $ 243,000. The amount of goods exported dropped to 275.76 tonnes.
According to Russell Ahmed, revenue officer at Bhomra Land Port, India’s import embargo specifically targeted two important product categories: clothing and plastics, which are two of Bangladesh’s top exports through Bhomra.
“There aren’t any export trucks stuck at the port right now,” Ahmed stated. “However, in the upcoming weeks, the full effects of this restriction will become more apparent. It is anticipated to have a major impact on both revenue collection and the overall economy.”
The Ministry of Commerce’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade issued a notification outlining India’s restrictions, which prohibit the entry of at least seven types of Bangladeshi commodities through land ports, including processed foods, fruits, and ready-made clothing. Additionally, the embargo limits the importation of Bangladeshi clothing to the ports of Kolkata and Nhava Sheva near Mumbai.
The measures do not affect goods transiting through India to Nepal and Bhutan, but they are expected to have a considerable impact on Bangladesh’s export sector via land routes.
