Home ›› 20 Dec 2021 ›› Front
The three land ports -- Akhaura, Tamabil and Sonamasjid – will be modernised on a par with the international standard to boost export-import activities with the neighbouring countries especially India and Bhutan.
To this end, the government has taken a big initiative to increase the capacity of the three ports to integrate trade facility for the development of economy, a senior official of the Planning Commission told The Business Post.
The Ministry of Shipping has sent a proposal titled “South Asia Sub-Regional Economic Cooperation Integrated Trade Facilitation Sector Development Project: Bangladesh Land Port Authority Part” to the Planning Commission for an approval of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council.
The cost of the project is estimated at Tk 217.30 crore, of which Tk 187 crore will come from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Tk 30.30 crore from the government exchequer, the official said, adding that Bangladesh Land Port Authority will implement the project from January 2022 to June 2025.
Under the project necessary infrastructures will be built to upgrade the three ports to boost trade and commerce with the neigbouring countries.
According to the Bangladesh Land Port Authority, of the 24 land ports, 12 are in operation across the country.
The Physical Infrastructure Division of the Planning Commission recently held a project evaluation committee meeting chaired by the division member Md Mamun Al Rashid.
In this regard, Joint Chief of the Ministry of Shipping Rafique Ahmed Siddque said: “These land ports can play an important role in enhancing trade with the countries just beyond our contiguous borders.”
“So, the ministry has taken up steps to upgrade and modernise the three land ports at the same international standard to boost export and import.”
The export-import activities with India are currently running largely through these land ports besides other ports.
Akhaura Land Port of Brahmanbaria is one of the gateways to seven northeastern states of India, including Tripura, Assam and Meghalaya.
About 42 products, including fish, stone, cement, bricks, sand, dry goods, plastics, cotton are exported to India through the port every day.
