Agartala: Mar 27: Imports from Bangladesh into Tripura have seen a notable increase, while exports from the northeastern state to its neighboring country have significantly declined, as reported by Tripura’s Industries and Commerce Minister Santana Chakma in the Assembly on Thursday. In response to questions from Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Jitendra Chaudhury, the Minister outlined the figures for trade between the two regions. Tripura imported commodities worth ₹636.72 crore from Bangladesh in the 2022-23 financial year, and the volume increased to ₹703.67 crore in 2023-24. By February of the current fiscal year (2024-25), imports amounted to ₹625.14 crore.
However, exports from Tripura to Bangladesh have sharply fallen. In 2022-23, exports stood at ₹121.37 crore, but this dropped to just ₹12.31 crore in 2023-24. By February 2024-25, exports had increased to ₹50.07 crore, still significantly lower than previous years.
The Minister also highlighted the operational status of Tripura’s Land Customs Stations (LCSs) along its 856 km border with Bangladesh. Of the nine LCSs, eight are currently functional, supporting trade and cross-border movement. Additionally, two ‘Border Haats’ have been set up to promote trade and local products. One at Kamalasagar (Tripura) and Kasba (Bangladesh) has been closed due to COVID-19 but is set to reopen soon. The second, located at Srinagar (South Tripura) and Purba Madhugram (Bangladesh), was reopened in May 2023 but was closed again in November 2023.
Despite unrest in Bangladesh, trade between Tripura and Bangladesh has remained uninterrupted. To further boost trade, the Central government has established Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) at Akhaura and Srimantapur, enhancing border trade, tourism, and other economic activities.
