Hili land port to reopen after five days

After remaining closed for five consecutive days Hili land port in Dinajpur is set to resume operations. Goods import and export between Bangladesh and India had been suspended since August 30 due to business related complications. Trade activities are scheduled to resume from Saturday following the decision by Indian traders to withdraw their strike.

The Hili Exporters and Customs Clearing Agents Association of India decided to withdraw the strike after a meeting with the South Dinajpur district administration on Thursday. The decision was conveyed to Bangladeshi traders on Friday through a letter signed by the organization’s General Secretary Bikash Chandra Mondal.

The letter said import and export at Hili land port had been suspended since August 30 due to various business-related complications. Following discussions with the administration and assurances that the issues concerned would be resolved the decision was taken to resume trade activities from Saturday.

Due to the strike movement of cargo trucks between the two countries was halted and operations at the land port were effectively brought to a standstill. As a result, importers and exporters C&F agents transport workers and people from various professions connected with the port faced financial losses.

Bikash Chandra Mondal General Secretary of the Hili Exporters and Customs Clearing Agents Association of India said, “There was a fruitful discussion with the administration. After discussing various problems and demands of the traders it was decided to withdraw the strike.” He added that Friday is the weekly holiday so import and export activities will begin on Saturday.

However Bangladeshi traders said they had learned about the withdrawal of the strike. Shaheenur Islam Mondal General Secretary of the Hili Customs C&F Agents Association said, “Although we have learned about the decision of the Indian traders no written information regarding the decisions of the meeting has yet reached the Bangladeshi traders.”

Relevant stakeholders said the five-day suspension of trade had created a standstill in business activities centered around Hili land port. The resumption of import and export activities is expected to bring an end to the situation. At the same time activity will return to the port and Bangladesh India border trade will return to normal.