The northeastern state of Tripura has witnessed a notable shift in its trade dynamics with Bangladesh, as imports have surged while exports have significantly declined. State Industries and Commerce Minister Santana Chakma shared these insights during a recent Assembly session.
According to official data, Tripura imported goods worth ₹703.67 crore from Bangladesh in the 2023-24 fiscal year, marking an increase from ₹636.72 crore in the previous year. However, exports from Tripura to Bangladesh plummeted from ₹121.37 crore in 2022-23 to a mere ₹12.31 crore in 2023-24. This sharp decline has raised concerns about the state’s trade balance and economic strategy.
Tripura operates eight functional Land Customs Stations (LCSs) along its 856-kilometer border with Bangladesh, facilitating cross-border trade and movement. Additionally, two Border Haats—Srinagar-Purba Madhugram and Kamalasagar-Kasba—have been established to promote local trade. While these weekly markets have faced disruptions due to COVID-19 restrictions, efforts are underway to reopen them and boost bilateral trade.
Despite challenges, the Agartala-Akhaura Integrated Check Post (ICP) remains the second-largest trading point between India and Bangladesh, underscoring the importance of this trade route. Bangladesh exports a variety of goods to Tripura, including fish, cement, and PVC products, while Tripura exports items such as spices, ginger, and agarbatti.
The Tripura government is actively working to enhance the functionality of its LCSs and Border Haats to restore and potentially increase trade activities with Bangladesh. These efforts aim to address the trade imbalance and strengthen economic ties between the two regions.
