Business Desk :
The importers and bidders who bought cars from Chattogram customs through auction have failed to release the vehicles, as they did not get clearance permit from the commerce ministry.
The permit is needed for vehicles older than five years as the authorities have restricted import of such old cars by law.
The Chattogram custom authority has wanted to hand over the vehicles to the top bidders through the auction as most of the vehicles are almost damaged and have remained abandoned in the port since 2011.
On November 15, they published the list of the highest bidders for the auction of 112 vehicles. Out of these, the highest bidders of 10 vehicles applied to the commerce ministry seeking permission for releasing their vehicles but failed to get go-ahead.
According to the law, there is no opportunity to import a car that is above five years old, AKM Ali Ahad Khan, join secretary for import and internal trade at commerce ministry said.
