Import, export thru' Hilli resume after 18-day strike

Officials and the businessmen said due to the 18-day strike, called by the Hilli Exporters' and Customs Clearing Agents' Association (HECCAA) on the Indian side since April 20 last, international trade and commerce through the HLP suffered a big jolt.

They said the HECCAA enforced the strike protesting double tax on the Indian exports through HLP.

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After hectic meetings between the leaders of HECCAA and Indian authorities, the strike was withdrawn on May 6 when the problems were assured to be resolved soon.

But the normal function at HLP was delayed for two days more as the drivers of more than 450 stranded trucks with loaded export goods on the Indian side refused to enter Bangladesh demanding compensation for the losses they incurred during the strike period.

Sources said the compensation issue was resolved Saturday night at a meeting held among the truck drivers' association, truck owners' association, HECCAA and the concerned authorities.

The Indian trucks with export goods started entering Bangladesh yesterday morning, resuming the normal activities at HLP, they said.