SME Times News Bureau | 20 May, 2010
The trans-shipment of Indian cargo through Bangladesh is likely to begin in July, authorities said.
The customs department of the National Board of Revenue has drafted a circular regarding the trans-shipment and sent the proposal to the law and parliamentary affairs ministry for vetting, NBR sources told New Age newspaper.
According to the proposal, Indian cargo can have a stopover at the Ashuganj land port before passing over to the northeastern states of India.
Bangladesh and India have designated land ports to facilitate faster goods movement along their 4,300 km border.
The government is likely to issue a circular before July 10 to allow the trans-shipment of Indian cargo. An announcement in this regard is also expected in the annual budget next month.
During the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India in January, Bangladesh designated Ashuganj as a 'port-of-call'.
"No weapons or ammunition will be allowed for trans-shipment through Bangladesh," shipping secretary Mohammad Abdul Mannan Howladar told New Age Wednesday.
Bangladesh hopes to annually earn a revenue of Taka 32 billion ($46 million) from the trans-shipment. It would initially begin with transportation of heavy equipment to set up power plants in India's Tripura state.
