PATGRAM, LALMONIRHAT, July 30: A damage of about Tk 8 crore of customs revenue and export-import losses was reported at Burimari Land Port in Patgram Upazila of the district due to the quota movement and curfew.
The port remained standstill from July 18 evening to July 23, halting all export-import activities. The Asycuda customs automation software turned disorder.
L/C opening, bill of entry, customising and payment and all export-import works were suspended with India and Bhutan.
A government revenue earning of about Tk 3-4 crore got nosedived while another about Tk 3-4 crore of business damages were suffered by exporters-importers, C&F agents and other port traders.
The loss of revenue and loss business was estimated at about Tk 8 crore, according to the port and customs sources at the port.
The port resumed import-export activities at 11am on July 24; due to slow Internet service, the port and customs authorities are working manually.
A total of 55 goods-laden vehicles entered Burimari Land Port from Changrabandha Landport of India on July 24; and, on the second day (July 25) 167 vehicles entered the port.
On the first day (July 24) 58 goods-laden vehicles left the port for India; and on the second day, 67 vehicles left for India.
Usually, on an average, 300 import vehicles and over 100 export vehicles are handled daily at the port.
Despite opening L/C in the last five days, about 1,500 vehicles could not reach the country from India and Bhutan.
Over 500 vehicles laden with jute yarn, and different products laden vehicles of Pran were not sent to India.
Many traders suffered Tk 3-5 lakh each as their laden vehicles remained stranded; in total, they counted losses of about Tk 3-4 crore.
Hundreds of port employees and thousands of labourers turned workless.
Customs and port authorities said, as importers and exporters could not send or bring goods-laden vehicles for few days, revenue earning of about Tk 3-4 crore was missed.
At present, the port operation is taking place manually.
After the situation becoming normal with full activation of the Internet, there will be full swing businesses at the port, and the revenue earning will get the usual speed.
Shamim Hossain, proprietor of exporting firm Tasnim Enterprise at the land port, said, "I suffered a damage of Tk 3 lakh as I could not send my export items laden vehicles to India; all exporters and importers suffered such setback."
Patgram Upazila Chairman Ruhul Amin Babul, president of Burimari Land Port Importer-Exporter Group, said, "At present, activities at the port are running manually; we hope business environment will return soon at the port."
Assistant Commissioner of Burimari Landport (Customs) Nazmul Hasan said, "Due to the movement, a little bit problem was created; at present export-import activities are going on; we hope all things will turn normal soon."
