Custom sources said they have realised eight out of 12 demands of the C&F Agents' Association in the third meeting that took place on Wednesday. They have also partially agreed to the remaining four demands, insisting that those four proposals stays under observation for a month. If those new proposals cause problems in operating the port they would be withdrawn and in the case of good results they would be kept in service, the source added.

The C&F Agents' Association said the eight fulfilled demands are not important and they would keep going with their indefinite strike unless their four key demands are met.

The key demands that the C&F agents made included cancellation of the present valuation and classification committees, fixing the duty of the Clean Report of Findings (CRF) consignment according to the CRF reference and delivering the products within 24 hours after their arrival. The port users also demanded that the fine on non-PSI goods should not be more than 10 to 12 percent and the consignment should be weighed only during verification.

Acting Customs Commissioner Atiqur Rahman, Joint Commissioner Hossain Ahmed and Shafiqul Islam, C&F Agents' Association President Shamsur Rahman and Secretary Nuruzzaman were present at the meeting.

The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) has expressed its concern over the stand off prevailing at the Benapole land port.

A DCCI press release said Bangladeshi importers have not been able to unload their goods since July 28, creating an adverse impact on the country's economy.

The DCCI has called upon all concerned, including the government, to resolve the problem immediately for the greater interest and to resume functioning of the land port.

Bangladeshi trucks idled and thousands of trucks at the Indian Petropole port await delivery as the Benapole land port strike entered day 15 yesterday.