Trade between Bharat and Bangladesh through the Sutarkandi Land Port in Assam’s Karimganj district has been growing significantly over the past few years.
Local businessmen, traders, and residents are optimistic that this trend will continue, leading to further increases in trade between the two neighboring countries.
According to the Land Ports Authority of Bharat, there are currently eleven operational land ports in Bharat, including Sutarkandi.
In the fiscal year 2023-24, these land ports facilitated trade worth Rs 47,594 crore till January 2024. Sutarkandi Land Port, situated on the international border between Bharat and Bangladesh, plays a crucial role in facilitating trade between the two nations.
The government of Assam constructed a Border Trade Centre at Sutarkandi in 2007 to streamline foreign trade operations. This centre serves as the main customs check post for goods flowing between Bharat and Bangladesh.
Various commodities are traded at Sutarkandi, including fruits, coal, silicon, palm and soya oil, food items, soft drinks, plastic, household goods, and waste cotton.
Local traders, like Imdadul Hoque Choudhury, have noted significant improvements in trade and infrastructure since around 2016-17.
Choudhury shed light upon the positive impact of improved road connectivity and the supportive policies of the Indian government. He mentioned that the trade relationship between Bharat and Bangladesh has strengthened, leading to a gradual increase in trade volume.
Choudhury also mentioned that on average, 3,500 stone-laden trucks and 300-400 coal-laden trucks head to Bangladesh daily from Sutarkandi. In addition, items used in railway construction and agricultural produce like ginger are exported. He estimated that around 5,000 families are directly or indirectly involved in trade activities at Sutarkandi.
Nazrul Islam, another trader in the area, echoed Choudhury’s sentiments regarding improved road connectivity and increased exports to Bangladesh. He expressed satisfaction with the development under the leadership of the Modi government.
Meanwhile, as the Karimganj Lok Sabha constituency in Assam gears up for elections on April 26 in the second phase, a closely contested battle is expected between the BJP, Congress, and AIUDF.
Karimganj, located in the Barak Valley, has a significant Bengali-speaking Muslim population, historically seen as pro-Congress or AIUDF.
The incumbent parliamentarian from BJP, Kripanath Mallah, faces competition from AIUDF leader Sahabul Islam Choudhury and Congress leader Advocate Hafeez Rashid Ahmed Choudhury in the 2024 elections.
With minority voters playing a crucial role, the BJP aims to maximize its tally in the state, despite facing challenges from AIUDF and Congress, both vying for minority votes.
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