In Myanmar, the country's army has been fighting incessantly with the insurgents for quite some time. Because of this, the border of Bangladesh has also become heated. Every day members of the country's border guards are fleeing the battlefield to Bangladesh. Sometimes mortar shells are coming from the other side. After the mortar shell killed two people including a Bangladeshi, many of the frightened locals left their homes.
The ongoing war in the neighboring country has affected not only the border but also the land port of Teknaf in Cox's Bazar. Traders said that import-export through this land port has decreased by 90 percent. Due to this, on the one hand, the import and export of goods are not being done and on the other hand, the government is losing a huge amount of revenue. The crisis will intensify if Myanmar's state of war lasts longer.
Teknaf land port mainly imports and exports goods through Myanmar's Akyab port. Akiab port is located in Maungdoo town of Rakhine state. On the opposite side of Teknaf, Mangdu is located across the river Naf. The distance of the city from Teknaf land port is only five kilometers. But because of the war it has become very distant. These port-based traders are in trouble as Teknaf-Mongdu border trade has almost stopped.
Since November 13 last year, the Arakan Army has been attacking the Junta forces in the northern part of Rakhine and in the town of Paletwa in the neighboring state of China. In this situation, the deadlock of trade with Myanmar started from November 14. At that time, the import and export of goods was closed for 21 days. Then on December 5, four trawlers arrived at Teknaf land port with a shipment of some goods from Maungdutown. This situation of import and export has not normalized yet.
Talking to Teknaf land port officials and traders, it is known that the jetty of the port is empty due to decrease in import and export. There are no cargo trawlers or ships like before. Port workers are also spending a lot of idle time. During normal times, trucks and covered vans are seen jamming at the main gate of the port, but now that is not the case. There are no cargo trawlers in Naf river either.
Ehteshamul Haque Bahadur, General Secretary of C&F Agents Association of Teknaf Land Port said that 90 percent import-export of goods has decreased.
He told Barta24.com, "We can't do anything now. No new product import-export initiative can be taken. Exporters there are sending the products that have already been decided with a lot of risk even because we are repeatedly pressuring them.
Ehteshamul Haque Bahadur, fearing that the business will be completely stopped if the war situation in Myanmar continues, said, "There are about 100 importers in our association. Now if we can't import goods from Myanmar, then we will all be in danger. Over the past few months, the product has been coming and going. How long can it be dragged like this?
Normally at least 12 to 15 trawlers come to Teknaf from Maungdu with products. But now that number stands at 1-2. Teknaf land port importer Omar Farooq CIP said, "On Wednesday (February 7), three trawlers arrived. The previous Tuesday, that number was 1. Two trawlers arrived on Monday. Goods are coming, but much less than before.
The fact that the import has completely decreased can be understood if the calculation of the import of the port is brought forward. Mainly Myanmar goods come through Teknaf land port. Some types of products including plastic aluminum are exported from Bangladesh. In Bipari, various products are imported from Myanmar, including fish, pickles, onions, garlic and ginger.
Talking to the officials associated with the customs department of the port, it is known that more than 10,000 to 15,000 metric tons of goods are imported through this port in normal times. That picture started to change from November. In that month, 4934 metric tons of goods were imported due to low trade. It further decreased to 1136 tons in December. About 1000 metric tons of products have been imported in January as well. From the beginning of February it has also started to decrease. On the other hand, the government used to earn an average of 3 crores per day from this port during normal times. Now, due to reduced transportation of goods, revenue collection is about to fall to zero quota.
An official of Teknaf Land Port, who did not disclose his name, told Barta24.com, "Due to the war situation in Myanmar, no goods are being exported from Bangladesh. Some products are coming from there occasionally. Even the trawlers are coming with a lot of risk. That is why import-export is on the way to stop. Because of this, as the businessmen are suffering losses, the government is also suffering as the revenue collection is reduced.
In such a situation, the businessmen have no alternative but to wait for the war situation in Myanmar to calm down.