Brahmanbaria, Jul 17 (V7N) — Trade activities, passenger movement and government revenue at Akhaura Land Port, one of the busiest border gateways between Bangladesh and India, declined significantly during the 2025–26 fiscal year due to political and commercial tensions, import restrictions and visa-related complications.

However, following a recent bilateral meeting between officials and business representatives in Agartala, India, traders have expressed optimism that border trade will gradually return to normal.

Although export activities remained relatively stable, official data show a sharp decline in imports through the port.

According to the Akhaura Land Customs Station, exports through the port reached approximately Tk 524 crore during the 2025–26 fiscal year—about Tk 10 crore higher than the previous fiscal year.

In contrast, imports from India dropped significantly, while customs revenue from imports fell to only Tk 7.1 million, compared with more than Tk 4.16 crore in the previous fiscal year.

Traders attributed the slowdown to India's import restrictions on certain Bangladeshi products, visa complications and prolonged uncertainty surrounding bilateral trade.

Passenger Traffic Also Falls

Passenger movement through Akhaura Immigration Check Post also declined during the fiscal year.

According to official figures, 46,461 passengers travelled to India through the land port during the period, reducing government earnings from the tourist tax to Tk 4.15 crore, down from more than Tk 6 crore in the previous fiscal year.

Calls for Easier Trade Procedures

Rashedul Sajeeb Nazir, Deputy Director (Traffic) of Akhaura Land Port, said that approximately 47,000 metric tonnes of goods were exported through the port during the last fiscal year, while nearly 80,000 passengers used the customs station.

In an effort to revive cross-border commerce, business leaders, chamber representatives and government officials from both countries recently held a two-day meeting in Agartala.

The discussions focused on removing trade barriers, simplifying customs clearance procedures, improving infrastructure and easing visa requirements for business travellers.

Mashiur Rahman, President of the India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IBCCI), said Bangladesh continues to face a significant trade deficit with India.

"We are working to reduce that gap by increasing Bangladesh's exports and making greater use of this trade route," he said.

Hope for Recovery

Customs officials believe that improving infrastructure, simplifying visa procedures and removing trade restrictions would help restore import and export activities as well as passenger movement through the port.

Sheikh Shahir Ahmed, Assistant Commissioner of Akhaura Land Customs Station, said traders have consistently demanded faster and more efficient import procedures.

"These demands are being regularly communicated to the higher authorities, and we hope positive outcomes will be achieved in the near future," he said.

Established in 1994, Akhaura Land Port remains one of Bangladesh's most important export-oriented land ports, serving as a key trade gateway with India's northeastern states.

END/SMA/AJ