Bangladesh–Bhutan transit agreement implemented; first container dispatched

Nov 27, 2025
Business

File image: Chittagong Port (collected)

Staff Report: PNN

A new chapter has begun in Bangladesh’s economic progress. For the first time, a transit shipment to Bhutan has departed from Chittagong Port to reach Burimari Land Port. The shipment will travel approximately 684 km by road, via Changrabandha Land Port in India, to reach Phuentsholing Land Port in Bhutan.

Sources from Chittagong Port, Customs, and C&F said a 20-foot container-carrying trailer departed for Burimari around 9:30 pm Wednesday. Special escort arrangements were made for its security.

Deputy Commissioner of Chittagong Customs, H.M. Kabir, said, “Customs clearance and fee payments were completed on Tuesday. This shipment involves our country’s reputation, international recognition, and efficiency, so it is being treated with utmost importance.”

The shipment is under the 2023 “Agreement on the Movement of Traffic-in-Transit” between Bangladesh and Bhutan, signed on March 22. A test shipment arrived at Chittagong Port nearly two months ago on MV HHR Hira, including around 6,500 kg of products such as shampoo, dried palm fruit, iced tea, chocolate, and orange juice.

The exporter is Abit Trading Company Ltd. of Thailand, and the importer is Abit Trading of Bhutan. C&F agent NM Trading Corporation handled customs clearance. NM Trading Managing Director Md. Shahidul Alam Khan said, “Although the first shipment took some time in stages, it has successfully departed for Burimari Land Port with the cooperation of various government departments and law enforcement agencies.”

Secretary of Chittagong Port Md. Omar Faruk said, “Chittagong Port is fully prepared to provide transit services with adequate yards, berths, and terminals, and increased container handling capacity. More handling will generate more port revenue.”

In the past 10 months, Chittagong Port handled 2,849,542 TEUs of containers, 11.5067 million metric tons of cargo, and 3,552 vessels. This transit shipment opens new possibilities for Bangladesh’s international trade and will play a vital role in the country’s economic progress.