After media reports, talks on transit have resumed, but the reality is that Indian businessmen are not showing interest in using transit.
When traders show no interest in transit, Professor Mustafizur Rahman, distinguished fellow at the Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD), told Prothom Alo that simply allowing transit will not work; The infrastructure and customs procedures should have been simplified for smooth movement of consignments, but this did not happen.
Indian traders will consider the cost and time including infrastructure and customs procedure while transporting goods through Bangladesh. Besides, Indian traders get special incentives on transporting goods through Chicken Cake, therefore, they will not show interest in moving goods through Bangladesh if the cost is lower on that route, he said.
Meanwhile, NBR and land port authorities said all facilities have been ensured for transshipment of the consignment. It is now necessary to engage at a higher level with governments to increase the use of transit by Indian businessmen.
