After a five-day suspension for the Durga Puja holidays, import-export activities have resumed at the country’s largest land port, Benapole. On Saturday (October 4) morning, trade between the two countries restarted, with goods once again being exchanged. Between 9:00 am and 11:30 am, around 10 Indian cargo trucks carrying various goods entered Bangladesh. However, no Bangladeshi goods were exported to India during that time.
Sajedur Rahman, General Secretary of the Benapole C&F Agents Staff Association, said that import-export was closed from September 28 to October 2 due to mutual agreement between traders of both countries on the occasion of Durga Puja. With the resumption of activities today, cross-border trade has regained momentum.
Shamim Hossain, Director of Benapole Land Port, said that the suspension was due to India’s official Durga Puja holidays. With activities back to normal from Saturday, traders on both sides are relieved. On average, more than 2,500 metric tons of goods are exchanged daily through this port, which accounts for about 70 percent of Bangladesh’s total land trade with India.