The volume of imported and exported cargoes at the Akhaura, Sonamasjid and Tamabil Border Crossing Points (BCP) will increase by 50 percent by 2027 after the implementation of the trade facilitation loan of 143 million US dollars provided by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), said its Country Director Edimon Ginting.<br />''<br />''He was speaking on the occasion of the signing of a policy-based loan agreement between ADB and the Government of Bangladesh, to improve volume, efficiency, predictability and security of cross-border trade.<br />''<br />''Mr Ginting further said that the average customs clearance and cargo transshipment time will also be reduced by half on these BCPs. The three BCPs will have an E-payment facility, with their capacity increased to handle five lakh 20 thousand tonnes per year of international transit cargoes.<br />''<br />''The South Asia Sub-Regional Economic Cooperation Integrated Trade Facilitation (SASEC) Sector Development Program (SDP) will reform trade policies and improve the cross-border trade facilities at Akhaura, Sonamasjid and Tamabil BCPs.<br />''<br />''It will also increase connectivity among SASEC countries by facilitating trade among the SASEC countries through Bangladesh as a sub-regional hub.<br />''<br />''The SDP will help Bangladesh diversify its export destinations to countries within the sub-region and shift away from ready-made garments to a more diversified export basket, said the ADB.<br />''<br />''The ADB loan of has two components. The 90-million US dollar policy-based loan will support reforms in the legal framework of the country's customs processes and improve cargo clearance capacity among others.<br />''<br />''The second component of 53-million US dollar will help construct integrated land customs stations and land ports at Akhaura, Sonamasjid and Tamabil Border Crossing Points. Facilities and equipment for customs clearance and cargo trans-shipment operations will also be installed.<br />