GUWAHATI: In a significant decision likely to improve trade in the Northeast, Bangladesh will now grant India permanent permission to use the Chattogram and Mongla ports for transit and trans-shipment of cargo vessels.
Bangladesh’s National Board of Revenue (NBR) has issued a permanent standing order which states, “The permanent transit order was issued by the NBR following the completion of trial runs for the operationalisation and regular movement of goods."
This decision will help in reducing both time and costs for transporting goods to India's northeastern states and West Bengal, while encouraging promotion of regional connectivity in the Bay of Bengal.
Certain charges in line with the country’s tax and VAT laws concerned will be drawn by Bangladeshi ports, the NBR, customs and other taxation parties.
According to the order, this will include fees for documentation, transhipment, security, scanning, administrative charges, an electric lock and seal fee and toll fees for using Bangladeshi roads.
Chattogram Port is situated in the southeastern region of Bangladesh and serves as the country's primary seaport and is situated alongside the Karnaphuli River. More than 90% of Bangladesh's export-import trade is managed by the port.
Mongla Port, which is the second-largest seaport in Bangladesh, is located near the Bay of Bengal's coastline. Earlier, India used to incur significant time and cost-related issues when transporting goods to its northeastern states.
However, it was recently revealed by officials from both countries that the new decision to allow India access to Chattogram and Mongla ports will address these challenges, resulting in reduced transportation time and costs. The decision was taken following bilateral meetings between the two nations.
According to a report by ORF, by utilization of the Mongla port, India can also establish better connectivity of these states with other parts of the country by avoiding the narrow Siliguri Corridor, commonly referred to as the 'Chicken's Neck.'
As a result of the decision, eight routes have been identified for connecting India's Northeastern region through Bangladesh's seaports, including Chattogram or Mongla Port to Agartala (India) through Akhaura (Bangladesh); Chattogram or Mongla Port to Dawki in Meghalaya (India) via Tamabil in Sylhet city (Bangladesh); Chattogram or Mongla Port to Sutarkandi in Assam (India) through Sheola (India); and Chattogram or Mongla Port to Srimantpur in Tripura (India) via Bibir Bazar (India).
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