Private inland container depots see big jump in exports

The private inland container depots (ICDs) reported a big jump in Bangladesh's exports in terms of the volume of container over last three months to April in a row exceeding pre-Covid level.

According to the depots, average shipment during the period had reached more than 53,000 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) a month. It was 38,000 TEUs, on average, a month during the same period of the previous year.

In April 2021, the volume of shipment was recorded at 51,683 TEUs against 10,891 TEUs in the same month of 2020, according to Bangladesh Inland Container Depots Association (BICDA).

The coronavirus was first detected in March last year in Bangladesh. And its subsequent lockdown from March 26, 2020 to May 30 brought the country's economic activity to a near halt which had been reflected in April's shipment.

In March 2021, the volume of exports increased to 56,859 TEUs from 54,697 TEUs in the same month of 2020, according to BICDA which handles the country's 100 per cent maritime exports.

Export goods usually reach 17depots located in Chattogram. Goods are stuffed into the containers after necessary inspections by the customs authority before shipment.

In February 2021, it was 52,283 TEUs while the volume of exports was recorded at 47,628 TEUs in the same month of 2020, the association, a group of 17 container depots, said.

However, the shipment in January2021 was 56,970 TEUs, some 936 TEUs less than January in 2020.

Bangladesh's more than 80 per cent export items consist of readymade garment. So, the containers are stuffed mostly with clothing products.

In March 2021, Bangladesh's export receipts grew by nearly 13 per cent to US$ 3.1 billion, according to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).

But export receipts during the July-March period of the fiscal year 2021remain almost the same as its previous period in the fiscal year 2020.

Md Ruhul Amin, secretary at the BICDA, said Bangladesh's export performance is now better than anytime in the past.

"We are doing better here as we know how to work amid the Covid-19 pandemic. We have learnt many things over the past one year…."

He also hinted that Bangladesh's exports may grow in May and June.

"We've come know from freight forwarders that shipment may reach new height in May and June".

But Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) says overall shipment is still lower than what was exported before the new coronavirus hit the country.

Anwar-ul Alam Chowdhury Pervez, former president of BGMEA, told the FE that orders for necessary or basic clothing are quite normal.

"Orders for formal shirts and luxury clothing remained poor," he said.

Exporters Association of Bangladesh (EAB) said overall export is not bad.

Salam Murshedy MP, president at EAB, told the FE: "Export is not bad."

He said many factories are sending goods to the port sensing long Eid vacations leading to a rush of export products in depots.

"The clothing sector will remain closed for at least 10 days on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. So, many are sending goods to the port."

He added: "Many orders are now being deferred."

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