The political crisis in Bangladesh is affecting exporters of Bihar.

The political crisis in Bangladesh is affecting exporters of Bihar.

Patna, August 7: The political crisis in Bangladesh has created significant concern among exporters in Bihar, who are facing substantial financial losses due to the disruption of their trade operations.

Bangladesh has been turned into a consumer market for Bihar’s manufacturers and agricultural goods and is currently in turmoil leading to a halt in exports and subsequent economic distress for the farmers and traders.

Bihar is an exporter of essential commodities due to its proximity to Bangladesh. It has a long-standing business relationship with Bangladesh, especially from the Shahabad region. Bihar exports a wide range of essential commodities to Bangladesh, which includes rice, wheat, pulses, tea, onion, potatoes, fish and jute. This trade has been a vital source of income for the farmers of Bihar.

Raju Singh, a trader of the Mohania subdivision of Kaimur district, said, “Wheat and rice, which previously brought significant revenue have been particularly affected due to the political crisis in Bangladesh.  We are suffering financial loss. The Indian government should pay attention to this.”

According to an estimate, Bihar has suffered amounting to approximately Rs 1000 crores due to the current situation. This figure includes goods which are directly related to the farmers of Bihar. If this continues for a long, then the unsold essential goods will be sold here at a cheap price. Their concern is how they will get the payment for the goods which are on the way and have been sent.

Also Read: Bihar police are on high alert amid the Bangladesh crisis.

The Shahabad region of Bihar alone conducts business worth Rs 400 crores with Bangladesh annually. More than 25 lakh tonnes of rice and around 20 lakh tonnes of wheat are being exported to Bangladesh from Rohtas district. The Shahabad region is called the rice bowl of Bihar. Apart from this, grinding stones were also sent from Rohtas area. Due to the large-scale production of paddy, rice bran has a huge demand in Bangladesh for oil extraction.

The political crisis has halted the movement of goods, including train racks from Rohtas, severely impacting the trade flow.

Bangladesh border is 17 km away from the Kishanganj district of Bihar and jute production is significant here, with a large quantity exported to Bangladesh.

Additionally, mustard oil, spices, cloth and a limited quantity of electronic goods, Tea was exported to Bangladesh from the Kishanganj area.

The fertilizer and animal fodder industries in Bihar are also facing setbacks. Bangladesh farmers rely on fertilizers from Bihar, to enhance their crop yields and animal fodder.

“’Rice and wheat are exported from here on a large scale. Farmers in our area earn crores. They are also worried due to the political crisis. They have a lot of expectations from the Government of India,” said Pushkar Jaiswal, a businessman in Rohtas district.

Trade Association President Kamal Nopani said, “Bihar has business worth crores with Bangladesh. While clothes are exported to Bangladesh from Gaya and Bhagalpur, wheat, rice and rice bran are also exported on a large scale from the Rohtas and Kaimur areas. Bihar’s trade with Bangladesh can be affected by around 1000 crores annually.”

EOM.