Import and export operations at Teknaf Land Port have been suspended for the past seven months due to the ongoing conflict between Myanmar’s military junta and the Arakan Army, resulting in severe financial losses for the government and local economy.
The government is losing Tk 40-50 crore in revenue every month due to the port’s closure, said revenue officer Sohel Ahmed. In addition, hundreds of workers and traders have lost their income, adding to the region’s economic challenges.
To raise awareness, business owners, workers, and locals formed a human chain on the highway adjacent to the port on Tuesday, calling for the immediate resumption of port activities. They stressed the vital role the port plays in the local economy and voiced frustration over the prolonged shutdown.
The closure is tied to the conflict between Myanmar’s military and the Arakan Army, which controls Myanmar’s Rakhine border region. The Arakan Army has been blocking cargo ships on the Naf River, halting trade between the two countries. This disruption worsened when the Arakan Army took control of the border, leading to the suspension of imports and exports through Teknaf port.
Nezam Uddin, a long-time worker at the port, shared the hardships his family faces: “I’ve worked here for years, but now we are left with nothing. My family’s expenses, including my children’s education, were covered by earnings from the port. Now, there is no work, and we are struggling.”
Liaquat Ali, a local businessman, added, “We are unemployed, and still owe Myanmar traders millions of taka. Through this human chain, we urge the government to reopen the port. We want to survive.”
Ehatashamul Haque Bahadur, General Secretary of the C&F Agent Association of Teknaf, confirmed that local businesses are in crisis. “We have informed the district commissioner and the foreign ministry, but no action has been taken to restart operations. The Arakan Army’s interference continues to disrupt trade,” he said.
Sohel Ahmed, the revenue officer, reiterated that the government is losing Tk 40-50 crore in revenue each month due to the closure. “The government has not received any revenue from the port since the suspension began,” he confirmed.
Sheikh Ehsan Uddin, Upazila Executive Officer of Teknaf, acknowledged that Myanmar’s internal conflict is responsible for the closure but stressed the significant damage it’s causing to Bangladesh’s economy. Despite raising the issue with the relevant ministries, no steps have been taken to reopen the port.
The ongoing shutdown continues to have severe economic consequences, with mounting calls for government intervention to restore trade and address the losses.
Trade between Bangladesh and Myanmar is vital, with Myanmar exporting timber, frozen fish, dried betel nuts, ginger, dried fish, coconut, pickles, and other agricultural products to Bangladesh. Conversely, Bangladesh exports potatoes, plastic goods, ready-made garments, biscuits, chanachur, chips, and soft drinks to Myanmar.
