Narinjara news

Inaugural of Trade Corridor between Burma and Bangladesh

Cox’sbazaar, 21 August 02: Since 18^th August 02 the first corridor along the Bangladesh Burma international border has begun to operate, according to our correspondent.

On Bangladesh side the corridor touches at the Balukhali border point near Ukhia-ghat Customs terminal. The corridor was inaugurated when fifty head of cattle imported from Rakhine (Arakan) State in Western Burma were brought in and handed over by members of the Burmese Nasaka security forces to the Customs officials at Ukhia-ghat on Bangladesh side in the noon of Sunday last.

Decision to set up the corridor was taken in 1999 to import cattle and increase revenue. In the inaugural ceremony the Chittagong Divisional Commissioner of Customs, Maruful Alam, graced as the chief guest. Present among the others were officials of the Bangladesh Rifles, Customs Department, and representatives from the business community.

That day the Customs Department earned a total of taka 25 thousand as customs duties from the import of the fifty head of cattle.

On the Burmese side of the border the corridor touches at Taungbro, Nasaka Area Headquarters Number Three, under Maungdaw Township.

The articles that come in to Bangladesh from Burma include agricultural produce like rice, pulses, onions, black pepper, textile products like lungyis (sarongs), items of traditional medicine, Chinese household appliances, footwear, drycell batteries. At present Burma imports palm oil from Bangladesh to meet the shortage of cooking oil supply in the market, while palm oil is principally used for industrial purposes in Bangladesh. #