A record quantity of goods was imported from India in the last three days (9 to 11 June) through Benapole port leading to revenue increase, according to customs sources.
At least 354 trucks entered with goods on Sunday, 445 trucks on Monday and 382 trucks till Tuesday noon, said Mamunur Rahman, deputy director of benapole port authority.
This number was only 250 to 270 last year, Mamunur Rahman added.
He said also that the import increased due to the new guidelines from customs authority.
Benapole Sonali Bank manager Rakibul Alam said the revenue collection was estimated Tk 110 million on Sunday, Tk 120 million on Monday and TK 80 million till Tuesday noon.
In the current fiscal, the total revenue collection of Benapole customs is Tk 51.85 billion till now, he added.
Importers said the customs and port operations developed after the directives issued by Benapole customs commissioner Mohammad Belal Hossain Chowdhury.
Customs officials have been performing duties from 7:00am to 12:00pm in advance, keeping the slogan on day-to-day revenue under the directives.
Meanwhile, India-Bangladesh customs officials have been deeply monitoring activities to bring dynamism in trade.
High-level officials and businessmen including Indian High Commissioner Riva Ganguli, visited the import and export trade facility in Benapole and Petrapole on Saturday.
Benapole C & F Agents’ Association president Mafizur Rahman Sajon gave the credit to the new guidelines from customs authorities for the increase of import.
Benapole port director Prodosh Kanti Das said, “We have been working according to new guidelines. We work as 800 trucks loaded with imported goods can enter daily.”
India is failing to provide trucks according to our demand, he added.
Benapole customs commissioner Mohammad Belal Hossain Chowdhury said, several steps have been taken to speed up the import trade and revenue collection.
If the import trade continues like this we could fulfill the revenue collection target this month, he added.
