Chattogram Bureau :
Seapkers at a discussion in port city demanded a separate ministry for handling Chattogram Port related issues.
The local leaders and businessmen observed that a separate ministry is necessary for the port as has been playing a crucial role in the country’s economy. They made these demands at a seminar titled ‘Unnayaner Roadmap: Chattogram Division’ organised by Central Finance and Planning Sub-committee of Bangladesh Awami League at World Trade Centre Chattogram.
Speaking at the seminar, former first vice president of BGMEA S M Abu Taiyab demanded that a minister be assigned and a separate ministry be formed for Chattogram Port on Wednesday .
He said that AL is the only political party with the readiness to listen to the demands of the common people. Accordingly, the party is making effort to know the stance of the business community before framing an election manifesto for the upcoming national parliament elections.
Chattogram Metropolitan Chamber and Commerce and Industry Vice president S M Mahbub Chowdhury said that in the year 2008 Chattogram port could only handle 10 lakh 79,000 TEUS but now it had the capacity to handle 30 lakh TEUS, which is a clear indication of development.
The ongoing Bay Container Terminal would be the lifeline of the country which would require separate cell and office. There are 14 inland container depots and if these stop handling containers for an hour the port would collapse.
We need to think about the alternative to ICDs in the Bay Terminal, he said. Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Mahbubul Alam said that the development of Chattogram is not merely bound up with that of the region.
The development of entire Bangladesh is hinged on the port city since it is also the commercial capital of the country.
At present there are 55 commercial banks in the country. At least five commercial banks should set up their head office in Chattogram, he said. CCCI president also demanded quick modernization of BSTI and installation of more scanners at the Customs House.
He observed that Hazrat Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram needed to be upgraded.
The 800 meter runaway is not fit for international flights and airplanes. The government should declare Halda River a national river because this is an asset for us, he added.
Mashiur Rahman, economic affairs advisor to the prime minister and chairman on the committee, said that if the port does not work properly, export and import would be affected.
Member of parliament Shamsul Haque Chowdhury, Chittagong University pro-vice-chancellor Shirin Akter, Premier University Vice-chancellor Anupam Sen, Bangladesh Bank Chattogram Branch executive director S M Rabiul Hasan, CCCI director Syed Sagir Ahmed, GPH Ispat Limited Media Advisor Ovik Osman, CCCI former senior vice president M A Salam, North District AL General Secretary Mofizur Rahman, Central Finance and Planning Sub-committee members Kaniz Aklima, Nazmul Karim Chowdhury Sharun and Mohammad Nasir also spoke at the seminar.
