Zero imports at Nakugaon land port for six months

The land port at Sherpur’s Nakugaon has had nearly zero imports for the last six months despite going through an extensive infrastructure renovation costing several crores recently.  As a consequence, the port’s revenue has fallen to almost nil. Though some plastic products, Partex boards, cement, sarees, and mosquito nets have been exported this year, there have been zero imports. The customs authority however said that trade will increase around December-January from a lot of business from Bhutan. But this is no consolation for many importers who are in dire straits after losing millions to the port’s inefficacy. Sherpur’s only land port Nakugaon first became a tax station in 1997. Afterwards, the port was expanded into a land port over an area of 13.46 acres in 2010, though its construction did not begin until 2011. Later on June 18, 2015, the port was officially open with 19 products having been given the green light for trade. However, no imports have come in over the last two and a half years, prompting importers to demand clearance on more items as they are borderline bankrupt after having taken sizable bank loans for this failed venture. President of the port’s Importer and Exporters’ Association Mustafizur Rahman said: “We sent a written appeal to the National Board of Revenue on October 22 last year to allow the import of various new products that would enliven the port.” A source at the district’s tax, customs and VAT office said that in the 2012-2013 fiscal year, the port’s revenue was an estimated at around Tk12,96,48,000. In the 5 years since, the revenue decreased almost every year to the point where there has been literally zero income over the last six months. Md Abdul Hannan, Assistant Commissioner of Customs, Excise and VAT officials said that they have held discussions with the NBR regarding the possibilities for the port including the option of allowing new products.