Gold Smuggling from Dubai to Bangladesh Worth 32,000 Crore Taka Revealed

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), especially its key city of Dubai, plays a significant role in exporting gold bars to Bangladesh. Ranked among the top 10 destinations for UAE’s gold bar exports, Bangladesh reportedly receives substantial amounts of gold each year. However, official Bangladeshi statistics reveal that the officially imported gold amount is notably smaller.

This stark mismatch in trade data indicates widespread illegal smuggling of gold bars into Bangladesh. The illicit gold trade deprives the nation of vital revenue and reportedly facilitates criminal activities. According to data from the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), Dubai exported gold worth $36.664 billion (around 32,000 crore taka) to Bangladesh between 2014 and 2023. These figures, drawn from the UN Comtrade Database and UAE authorities, highlight the scale of this gold smuggling network.

The implications of this illegal trade are far-reaching, including economic losses for Bangladesh and its potential links to unlawful activities, raising concerns for authorities in both countries.