Business Desk :
Mahbubul Alam, president of the Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), said that if the supply chain between Chattogram Port and the other parts of the counrty is interrupted, the whole nation has to bear the cost as the prices of all products will increase.
Businesses will face losses which will leave many jobless, he added.
While talking on Monday the business leader said, “We have made six demands to the government to keep the country’s business sector and supply chain uninterrupted in the present coronavirus outbreak.”
He said that the Chattogram port is grappling with container congestion while the capacity of the Dhaka Inland Container Depot’s (ICD) has exceeded. Businessmen cannot take delivery of their goods due to the lack goods carrier vahicles such as trucks, covered vans and lorries, reports The Business Standard.
The first demand is that the government should talk to truck owners about providing more service during this holiday period. He added that drivers of trucks and lorries carry the goods across the country, so the administration should ensure their safety and security while they are doing their job.
Otherwise, the supply of products, including essential commodities, will fall short. There are 19 ICDs in the country. But these ICDs are also facing the same problem as there is a shortage of trucks, lorries and labourers.
Secondly, all the wholesale markets across the country should be kept open for smooth trading and supply of goods.
Thirdly, the Bangladesh Bank should keep their Bangladesh Automated Clearing House (BACH), a platform that is used to clear interbank cheques, open. It has been closed following the countrywide lockdown and general holidays. BACH should remain open as business transactions are done through banks.
