Kazi Zahidul Hasan :
Trade and business activities across the country came to a halt on Wednesday due to transport strike called by transport owners’ and workers’ associations.
The strike severely disrupted supply chain, export-import activities, and affected production in manufacturing units.
Business leaders sharply reacted over the “disruptive” actions saying that it will cause huge economic losses and tarnish image of the country.
Terming the strike “disruptive and uncalled for,” former FBCCI (Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry) President M Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin told The New Nation: “It is difficult to ascertain the exact loss to trade and business activity by the disruption, but the direct and indirect impact would be huge.”
He, however, stated that the transport strike has significant negative impact across the entire economy, such as increasing the price of necessary consumer goods, significant revenue loss to port customs and affect the manufacturing and export sectors by increasing the cost of production and delaying shipments.
Highlighting the current situation of the nation’s export, he said, “The country’s export proceeds went under the grip of a slowdown dropping 7 per cent year-on-year during July-October of the current fiscal year. The current disturbance can aggravate the situation further,” he said.
In reply to a question, Mohiuddin said nobody supports strike holding people and businesses hostage. “All concerned to work together to maintain conducive business environment to advance the economy rather than create disruption.”
The country’s economy has been maintaining a 7.0 per cent average growth over the last few years taking advantage of buoyant export, rising food production and remittance earnings, and consumer spending.
“But resorting to such means like strike “will be detrimental for the growth of the economy, particularly when the country is heading towards the next development path,” FBCCI Vice-President M Siddiqur Rahman told The New Nation.
He said the impact of the strike has been partial. The real concern is that the image of Bangladesh as an attractive business and investment destination could take a hit.
“We earnestly appeal to transport workers and owners to call of their strike for the greater interest of the country. They should resolve all pending issues through dialogue and discussion,” he noted.
Meanwhile, transportation and delivery of cargoes to and from Chattogram Port remained suspended since Wednesday morning following the transport strike.
As a result, the export-import activities through the country’s main seaport also came to a halt.
No truck, covered van, trailer or other modes of vehicles could enter the jetties or container and cargo yards to take delivery of cargoes from Chattogram Port or take export cargoes to the ships from across the country, reports out Chattogram correspondent quoting the Port officials.
About 3,000 containers are delivered from the port sheds a day, and most of the containers contain raw materials for garment production units.
“Halt in cargo delivery a day cause a revenue loss of Tk 20 crore for the Port,” Md Omar Faruque, Secretary of Chottagram Port Authority told The New Nation.
He also apprehended container congestion at the Port if the transport strike continues.
“The strike has dealt a big blow to the garment industry by accruing export cargoes and thereby throwing crucial delivery schedule to haywire,” M.A. Rahim (Feroz), vice president of BGMEA (Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association) told The New Nation.
He also said that production in the country’s garment factories also hampered severely due to the transport strike.
Garment industry contributes 85 per cent to the total exports.
“The industry cannot afford such disruptions when it is being under pressure due to falling export and rapid rise in production cost,” said M.A Rahim.
He also urged all concerned to act properly so that the country’s largest export sector remains unhurt.
