BKMEA writes to govt seeking urgent diplomatic push for 3-month suspension of India's land port ban
BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem made the appeal in a letter sent to Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman on 21 May. He also urged the government to ensure that shipments already in the export pipeline are exempted from the restriction.
- Says at least 3-month pause will prevent major losses
- Urges exemption for ongoing export shipments
- Warns of cancelled LCs, factory losses, reputational harm
- Says 80% of exports to India use land ports
The Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) has called for urgent diplomatic intervention to suspend India's ban on Bangladeshi exports via land ports for at least three months.
BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem made the appeal in a letter sent to Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman on 21 May. He also urged the government to ensure that shipments already in the export pipeline are exempted from the restriction.
"Considering the goods stuck at land ports, ongoing factory production, and overall disruption, exporters expect the government to intervene diplomatically," Hatem told The Business Standard.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
"If we can secure at least three months of time through discussions with India, it will prevent major losses for Bangladesh's businesses." he added.
On 17 May, India's Directorate General of Foreign Trade issued an order banning the import of six categories of goods, including all ready-made garments (RMG), through land ports from Bangladesh.
"If we can secure at least three months of time through discussions with India, it will prevent major losses for Bangladesh's businesses"
However, these goods can still enter India via sea ports such as Kolkata and Nhava Sheva in Mumbai.
The sudden decision has disrupted exports, with many consignments already at land ports now being returned. Exporters also expressed concern over goods prepared for dispatch, as pricing and delivery timelines were based on land transport.
The Export Promotion Bureau convened an emergency meeting on 18 May, followed by another meeting led by the commerce ministry on 20 May. Stakeholders at both meetings strongly recommended that Bangladesh engage with India at the secretary level to seek a resolution.
Following the meeting, Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman told the media that Bangladesh would not take retaliatory measures. He confirmed that a proposal had already been sent to the India-Bangladesh Joint Secretary-level forum to resolve the issue through dialogue.
In his letter, Hatem highlighted the critical role of land ports in bilateral trade, noting that around 80% of Bangladesh's exports to India are routed through them. In the past 10 months alone, goods worth Tk12,811 crore were exported through Benapole land port, with RMG accounting for Tk8,000 crore.
The BKMEA warned that the current restriction poses a significant risk to bilateral trade and economic relations. Numerous consignments are stuck at land borders, and production for new orders is underway.
Many letters of credit (LCs) have already been opened, raising fears of cancellations, financial losses, and reputational damage, Hatem said in the letter.
