BANGLADESH

Forwarding agents at Benapole fear export and import through the land port may take a hit with the introduction of the car pass system.

"We are in favour of the new system but if it is not introduced in other land ports as well, trade activities through Benapole are likely to decline," Serajul Islam Seraj, vice-president of Benaploe Customs Clearing and Forwarding Agents Association, told on Saturday.

"It takes time to get used to any new system, and initially it is bound to causes delays," Seraj said. "But if it is only introduced in Benapole, exporters and importers may prefer other land ports, as they will be more lucrative for them due to the time factor."

Between 300 and 350 trucks come from the Indian side and about 100 to 150 trucks enter India with export items through Benapole at present.

The car pass system was inaugurated by finance minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith and his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee at Petrapole in India earlier in the day.

PASS TO DRIVERS

As part of the system, a pass will be provided to drivers of vehicles that cross the border to unload products. The pass will contain detailed information on products and drivers, and helpers of the vehicles.

"Under the new system our trucks will enter Indian customs area, and Indian vehicles can enter Bangladesh on reciprocal basis," Muhith said at the inauguration programme.

Mukherjee said, "Trade between India and Bangladesh is growing and we are taking steps to reduce trade gap between the two countries."

On a daily average, 327 vehicles entered Bangladesh in 2004-05, which went up to 658 vehicles in 2009-10.

In contrast, 73 Bangladeshi trucks carrying export items entered Petrapole, India, in 2004-05 and rose to 147 in 2009-10.

PROBLEMS AT BENAPOLE

Benapole is convenient for traders since, at 81 kilometres, it is the nearest land port from Kolkata and has all the facilities. But now, Seraj said, it is losing the edge due to congestion, lack of unloading equipment and high charges.

"Traders have to pay Rs 800 to Rs 1,000 if a truck waits for a day," Seraj said. "In some cases it takes five to seven days to unload products at Benapole."

"Goods from nearly 70 to 75 per cent trucks can be unloaded within a day but other trucks have to wait for their chance."

Asked why all trucks cannot be unloaded in a single day, Seraj said, "Labour shortage and lack of space in warehouse are the main reasons for that."

Benapole, declared a full-fledged Customs House in 2000, has 31 godowns. Other land ports are only land customs stations.