Exports to India through the Akhaura land port in Brahmanbaria have begun to recover as diplomatic tensions between Bangladesh and India have eased, reversing a decline during the interim government period.
The improvement began after the elected government took office in February, helping restore bilateral trade.
According to Akhaura Land Customs Station, exports reached Tk437.19 crore until March in the current fiscal year.
Export items include frozen fish, cement, dried fish, stone, flour and edible oil.
Imports during the same period totalled Tk1.96 crore, mainly rice, cumin and incense sticks, generating Tk0.71 crore in revenue.
In the 2024–25 fiscal year, exports were Tk514.34 crore, while imports stood at Tk7.31 crore.
However, traders say exports remain constrained by Indian restrictions on several high-demand Bangladeshi products.
They also demand that India lift restrictions on the import of those products and that the Bangladesh government allow the import of all non-prohibited goods through the port.
Established in 1994, Akhaura is a key land route for trade with India’s north-eastern states.
The port handles daily exports of frozen fish, stone, cement, steel rods, flour and edible oil.
However, exports of plastic furniture, PVC products, cotton, processed food, fruits and fruit-flavoured juices have remained suspended since mid-May last year due to Indian restrictions.
The curbs followed diplomatic strain after the July mass uprising in Bangladesh.
Traders say anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh and pressure from some hardline Hindu nationalist groups in India led businesses there to avoid Bangladeshi goods.
India later imposed restrictions on the import of several items through some Bangladeshi land ports, reducing exports through Akhaura by about 30%.
Imports from India have also remained irregular, lowering revenue for port and customs authorities.
Traders say most permitted goods must be sourced from outside Tripura, increasing costs and reducing margins, which discourages imports.
They say broader import access would allow them to respond to local market demand more effectively.
“Exports are gradually increasing as tensions ease, but lifting restrictions on key products would increase export earnings and foreign currency inflows,” said trader Rajib Bhuiyan.
Nesar Uddin Bhuiyan, senior vice-president of the port’s C&F Agents Association, said traders are trying to introduce new export items.
“If the Bangladesh government allows the import of all non-prohibited goods through the port, imports will increase and boost government revenue,” he said.
Kazi Al Masum, assistant commissioner at the Akhaura Land Customs Station, said customs authorities are assisting traders and have informed the National Board of Revenue of their demands.
“The restricted items were previously exported in large volumes, and we hope the restrictions will be lifted soon through discussions between the two governments,” he said.
