Land Port Imports Decline by 13%

Bangladesh is projected to remain the world’s top cotton importer in MY2025-26, with imports reaching 8.5 million bales, ahead of Vietnam’s 8 million, according to the USDA. This surge aligns with a 10.86% year-on-year rise in Bangladesh’s RMG exports to $30.25 billion in the first 10 months of FY25.

Bangladesh's imports from Pakistan rose nearly 10% in 2024, reaching 19.14 lakh tonnes, driven by direct shipping and relaxed customs rules. The launch of the Karachi–Chattogram direct route in November 2024 cut delivery time from 30 to 11 days, slashing costs by a third. The National Board of Revenue (NBR) also eased customs inspections

The government of Bangladesh is planning to appoint globally experienced foreign firms to operate Chattogram Port and other key sea and land ports to address capacity limitations and reduce container congestion, as stated by Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam.

Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram is set to revive its 270-tonne cargo hub as part of a broader plan to strengthen Bangladesh’s air cargo infrastructure and prepare for new export routes, including direct cargo flights to China.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines will operate 226 dedicated flights for Hajj this year, consisting of 118 pre-Hajj and 108 post-Hajj flights. Pre-Hajj flights will run from April 29 to May 31, with 96 flights from Dhaka to Jeddah and Medina, and 22 flights from Chattogram and Sylhet.

The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) signed a Tk 61.96 billion contract with a Japanese joint venture (Penta-Ocean Construction and TOA Corporation) to build Bangladesh’s first deep-sea port at Matarbari, as part of the revised Tk 243.81 billion Matarbari Port Development Project.