The export volume to India through Benapole land port has doubled in five years, creating job opportunities and boosting foreign currency earnings, a customs official said.

Traders said products, including jute goods, readymade garments, dry fish, chemical, mahogany seed, apparel waste, soap, and tissue paper, are being exported to India through the key land port, the UNB reported.

Bangladeshi goods worth about Tk 7,000 crore are being exported through the land port every year, said Uttam Chakma, assistant commissioner of the Customs House. Traders said the export volume will increase further if the officials get more cordial.

Motiar Rahman, sub-committee chairman of India-Bangladesh Land Port Import-Export, claimed that a major portion of the country’s export to India is done through this port.

From the very beginning, traders from both countries have been showing keen interest to operate their business through the port because of easy transportation. ‘But they've to face various hassles with their products on Indian side,’ he added.

Mafizur Rahman Sajan, president of Benapole C&F Agents' Association, said India has a great interest in terms of exporting goods while Bangladesh is not that much interested in importing.

He hoped that the export-import trade would be quicker if India develops its infrastructure and makes the procedures free from hassles.

Import-Export Samity president Aminul Haque said the export process has changed a lot and it creates  employment opportunities.

Bangladeshi truck drivers said Indian Border Security Force (BSF) should check trucks if they have specific allegations but they check all the trucks wasting their time. It has a negative effect on import process, he added.

Uttam Chakma said the export process has gathered pace after the customs authorities' involvement. 

‘India has assured us that they will take measures to prevent hassles on their side,’ he said.