Four Bangladeshi trucks, carrying goods, were sent back from Benapole Port Wednesday evening as India revoked the long-standing trans-shipment facility granted to Bangladesh, which allowed goods to be exported from Bangladesh to third countries via Indian land ports.
Rashedul Sajib Nazir, deputy director of Benapole Port, said that the Indian government鈥檚 cancellation of the trans-shipment facility led to the Petrapole Customs refusing clearance for third-country goods. 鈥楾he trucks carrying these goods could not enter India.鈥�
He, however, mentioned that the export trade for goods intended for the Indian market was operating normally.
Kartik Chakraborty, general secretary of the Petrapole Clearing and Forwarding Agents鈥� Staff Welfare Association, said that India鈥檚 ministry of finance had issued a letter regarding the cancellation of the trans-shipment facility.
Based on this letter, the entry of goods meant for third countries via Benapole into Petrapole Port was halted.
Earlier, the Indian ministry of external affairs confirmed that India had withdrawn the trans-shipment facility for Bangladesh.
鈥楾he trans-shipment facility extended to Bangladesh had over a period of time resulted in significant congestion at our airports and ports,鈥� MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a media briefing in New Delhi on Wednesday.
