The COVID-19 pandemic has unexpectedly dismantled a sophisticated but informal e-commerce network that had been operating between India and Bangladesh for years. This underground trade route, which flourished through social media platforms and personal connections, came to an abrupt halt as border restrictions tightened during the lockdown period.
The Secret Digital Marketplace
For several years before the pandemic, an intricate cross-border e-commerce system had been thriving between the two neighboring countries. Bangladeshi consumers regularly purchased Indian products through Facebook groups, WhatsApp, and other social media platforms. Indian sellers would accept orders and payments digitally, then use cross-border bus services and train routes to transport goods to customers in Bangladesh.
This informal network bypassed official trade channels and customs procedures, creating a unique digital marketplace that served thousands of customers. The system relied heavily on personal trust and digital payment methods, with transactions occurring completely outside formal banking and trade frameworks.
How the Underground Trade Operated
The secret e-commerce route functioned through a well-established process. Bangladeshi buyers would browse products showcased in dedicated Facebook groups and pages managed by Indian sellers. After selecting items, customers would make payments through mobile banking apps and digital wallets.
Indian sellers then utilized the extensive cross-border transportation network, particularly the bus services connecting Indian states with Bangladesh. The goods would travel on scheduled buses, with drivers acting as informal couriers. Upon arrival in Bangladesh, local representatives would distribute the products to final customers.
This system had become so refined that it could deliver products from Indian sellers to Bangladeshi customers within 2-3 days, rivaling the efficiency of formal e-commerce platforms while operating completely under the radar.
The Pandemic's Impact and Current Situation
When COVID-19 struck and international borders closed, this entire ecosystem collapsed overnight. The suspension of cross-border transportation services severed the physical link that made the trade possible. Both bus services and train routes between India and Bangladesh were halted as part of pandemic control measures.
Even as some transportation has resumed, the informal e-commerce network has not recovered its previous scale. Stricter border controls and health protocols have made the previous informal arrangements much more difficult to maintain. The trust-based system that took years to build has been disrupted, leaving both sellers and customers seeking alternative arrangements.
The collapse of this network has significant economic implications for the small businesses and individual entrepreneurs who depended on this cross-border trade. Many Indian sellers had built substantial customer bases in Bangladesh, while Bangladeshi consumers had come to rely on this route for access to Indian products that were otherwise difficult to obtain.
This development highlights how the pandemic has not only affected formal economies but has also disrupted informal trade networks that often go unnoticed in official economic data. The story of this secret e-commerce route serves as a reminder of the complex economic relationships that exist between neighboring countries, often operating parallel to formal trade agreements and regulations.
