The geographical location of Bangladesh has created the opportunity to trade with its neighboring countries not only by waterways (Sea/IWT) but also by road and rail. At present, regional trade, i.e. export/import to and from India, Nepal and Bhutan are performed through land ports, railways and waterways. The direction of trade is however dominated by India. The land ports are used exclusively for export and import. Transit or trade with any third country is not currently performed through land ports. Limited transit and trade with third country is performed through rail and inland waterways. The potential for trade and transit within and beyond the sub-region is enormous.

There are currently thirteen (13) established land ports under the recently established Bangladesh Land Ports Authority (Bangladesh Sthala Bandar Kartipaksha/BSBK). All the ports have been leased out to the private sector on build own and operate (BOT) basis, but Benapole, which is the single largest land port in the country. It is directly operated by BSBK. Benapole and Teknaf land ports have been provided with infrastructure and superstructure facilities. In addition to road infrastructure, all the remaining ports lack adequate un/loading facilities, warehouse, testing and banking facilities.