Exports through Akhaura land port on the decline

The volume of exports through Akhaura land port in Brahmanbaria has fallen significantly over the past six years as increased connectivity between north-eastern Indian states and other parts of the country helped them reduce imports from Bangladesh.

Besides, most businesses in both nations prefer conducting their import-export activities through other ports with better facilities that are closer to end-destinations in order to reduce transportation costs.

The once fully export-oriented port was used to ship processed stone, rods, tiles, cement, glass, plastics, edible oil and fish to Agartala in Tripura. The north-eastern states of India previously imported these goods from Bangladesh as having them delivered from within their own country was comparatively more expensive and time consuming.

However, the scenario has since changed thanks to better railway connectivity in the region.

A total of 5.68 lakh tonnes of goods were shipped through Akhaura land port in fiscal 2015-16 but the export volume dropped by about 77 per cent to 1.32 lakh tonnes in fiscal 2020-21, according to a report by the Bangladesh Land Port Authority.

Exports through the port, established in 1994, have seemingly fallen further in the current fiscal year as only 64,363 tonnes of products were sent to India as of February.

Shafiqul Islam, a local exporter, told The Daily Star that he used to send large amounts of stone to Tripura.

"But stone exports are almost completely halted now as Indian buyers avoid importing from us and instead collect the material from Assam as their transportation system has improved over the years," he said.

"Still though, we are exporting fish, plastics and agricultural machinery through the port," added Islam, also general secretary of the Akhaura Land Port Importers and Exporters Association.

Mohammed Amirul Haque, chief executive officer and managing director of Premier Cement Mills, said they export cement from other land ports considering the availability of various facilities.

"Everyone looks for diversified export facilities when choosing a land port. We used Akhaura land port when it was the prime port of the country," Haque added.

Echoing the same, Kamruzzaman Kamal, director of marketing at Pran-RFL Group, said they consider all aspects when deciding on a port to ship their goods.

For example, choosing a port which is closer to the end destination helps lower transportation costs.

A major portion of Pran-RFL's exports to India are shipped to Meghalaya through Tamabil Land Port along the Gowainghat border in Sylhet, he added.

Forkan Ahmed Khalifa, general secretary of the Akhaura Land Port Clearing and Forwarding Agents Association, said Bangladesh used to export goods directly to India through the port but now, the neighbouring country is moving goods from Kolkata to Tripura through its improved railway transport system.

"Exports have declined radically over the years as a result," he added.

Khalifa went on to say that another reason for the decline in total exports is that soybean and palm oil shipments have been reigned in to cater to increased domestic demand.

Contacted, Taslim Shahriar, senior assistant general manager of Meghna Group of Industries, said that barely any edible oil is going to India now.

"Competitive prices from other suppliers, duty issues and domestic demand are major reasons behind the decline in edible oil exports," he added.

Similarly, Md Akter Hossain, a local businessman in Brahmanbaria who exports coal, said failure to ensure competitive prices is a major reason for the falling exports.

"Last year, I exported coal to India after importing it from Indonesia but due to price hikes in the domestic market, I cannot export it this year," he said.

Stone exports have been halted for at least 5 to 7 years and now edible oil exports have also stopped.

Earlier, the port would see huge gatherings of export trucks but nowadays, the scenario has changed drastically, he added.