Dhaka, Dec 15 (Agency) In order to increase trade with its neighbouring countries, Bangladesh will upgrade three land ports–Akhaura, Sonamasjid and Tamabil– to international standard. Bangladesh Land Port Authority under the Ministry of Shipping has taken a plan in this regard. The initiative is part of the South Asia Sub-regional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Integrated Trade Facilitation Sector Development project. The total proposed cost of the project is Tk. 217.30 crore. Of the amount, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide a loan of Tk 187 crore, while the rest of the money will be paid from the government treasury. In the meantime, the project proposal has been sent to the Physical Infrastructure Department of the Planning Commission by the Bangladesh Land Port Authority. A meeting of the Project Evaluation Committee (PEC) was also held under the chairmanship of Mamun Al Rashid, member secretary of Physical Infrastructure Department. Rafiq Ahmed Siddique, Joint Secretary (Planning), Ministry of Shipping, said: “Akhaura, Sonamasjid and Tamabil land ports can play an important role in expanding trade and commerce in the country.
That is why, the three land ports will be upgraded to international standard. ADB will give us loan on easy terms. We have prepared the DPP (Development Project Proposal) of the project and sent it to the Planning Commission. According to Bangladesh Land Port Authority, there are Border Crossing Point (BCP) at 24 places on the Indo-Myanmar border with Bangladesh. The government is going to take up the project with the funding of Asian Development Bank (ADB) for integrated infrastructural development in BCPs of Bangladesh. However, the ADB will give loans in phases. Necessary physical infrastructure will be constructed in the land custom section at Akhaura, Sonamasjid and Tamabil land ports. Necessary equipment will be installed. The government has declared 24 customs stations as land ports for conducting import-export activities by land route with India and Myanmar. Three of these are more important. Imports and exports with India are currently going on through these land ports.
The project has been undertaken to develop the necessary infrastructure of the port like other land ports to expand trade with neighbouring countries, establish connectivity and assist the National Board of Revenue in collecting government revenue. Of the 24 customs stations, activities of 12 are going on. The remaining 12 land ports are awaiting operation. Akhaura land port of Brahmanbaria is one of the gateways to seven states of India including Tripura, Assam and Meghalaya. Every day about 42 Bangladeshi products including fish, stone, cement, bricks, sand, dry goods, plastics, cotton are exported to India through this land port. Sonamasjid land port at Chapainawabganj is one of the important contributors to the expansion of trade and commerce in the country. Fruits, coal, stones, spices and agricultural products are imported through this land port throughout the year. Hence, market has been built up in the port area.
The large gathering of people at this land port has had a positive effect on all sectors of trade and commerce. There are also some local hat and bazaars for conducting trade and commerce related activities. At present, this land port is the second largest land port in Bangladesh. Limestone and boulder stone are mainly imported from India through the Tamabil land port in Sylhet. Some boulder rocks also come from Bhutan. The land port can play an important role in enhancing trade and people-to-people contacts in the north-east of India with Bangladesh. Therefore, considering various aspects, the government has taken initiative to recast the three land ports.