SATKHIRA, June 12: Bhomra Land Port in Satkhira has recorded a revenue deficit of Tk 1,011.08 crore during the first 11 months (July"May) of the current fiscal year 2025"26, as import and export activities declined sharply amid weakening trade momentum.
According to Bhomra Custom House sources, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) had set a revenue collection target of Tk 2,064.89 crore for the period. However, the custom house failed to achieve the target due to a slowdown in cross-border trade.
Officials and stakeholders linked the downturn to reduced import-export flows, which they say have been affected primarily by evolving bilateral relations and broader political transitions. The resulting drop in trade volume has significantly impacted revenue generation at one of the country’s key land ports.
Business leaders and port users said that uncertainty in trade conditions has also discouraged commercial activity. They noted that the port, once considered an active trade corridor in the southwestern region, is now witnessing reduced cargo movement and declining business confidence.
Despite the situation, officials at the custom house maintain that trade operations remain open and functional.
“There are no barriers to conducting business, and equal rights have been ensured for all traders,” said Mostafa Kamal, Assistant Commissioner of Bhomra Custom House.
“Our goal is to make the trade system more dynamic and diversified. Expanding trade is essential for employment generation and poverty alleviation for a large section of the population,” he added.
Meanwhile, local business leaders expressed optimism that the situation could improve following recent political changes. Abu Musa, General Secretary of the Bhomra Custom Clearing and Forwarding (C&F) Agents Association, said traders are expecting a more stable and investment-friendly environment in the coming months.
“Businesspeople believe that a favourable environment for trade and investment will soon be established. This will help restore confidence among domestic and foreign investors as well as international buyers,” he said.
However, port users warned that the ongoing downturn is already having wider economic consequences. An official from the Bhomra Port Importers and Exporters Association, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the situation as a severe recession for the business sector.
“The decline in imports and exports, along with massive revenue losses, has created a stagnation in investment and employment. The government is losing hundreds of crores in revenue due to strained trade relations. Immediate and effective measures are needed to break this deadlock,” the official said.
