Problems that plague Ctg businesses

The businesses based in Chattogram and also others are facing a lot of problems including trouble in transactions with weak banks, fallouts from the weighing scale on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway, waterlogging and, last but not the least, extortion of money.

After the ouster of the Awami League regime, the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) decided on August 29 not to accept pay-orders of nine weak banks including seven linked with the S Alam Group. Those banks were sucked dry by the cohorts of the past regime in the business circle. Businessmen and industrialists including exporters and importers conducting business through these banks were left in trouble. The decision of not accepting the pay-orders of the nine banks left a negative impact on import-export trade of the country. However, the incumbent government took different initiatives including restructuring the bank boards and feeding funds into the banks to better the lenders' financial health. The measures were paying off and the banks were getting back to normal gradually.

However, traders alleged that many of their products were stuck inside the port as it was not possible to withdraw enough cash from the banks. The demurrage for these products must multiply, they said.

The weighing scale at Boro Darogahat on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway is another hurdle the businesses in the commercial hub face. They cannot supply the imported goods to other parts of the country smoothly due to the restriction that limits transportation of goods.

Earlier, the goods-carrying vehicles could ferry 20-30 tonnes of goods on the highway. But now there is a restriction on carrying more than 13 tonnes of goods, increasing the transport cost and thus leaving an impact on the consumer market.

The businessmen in Chattogram said that it was very unfortunate that the then Awami League government put a limit on the trade and business of Chattogram by setting up the weighing scale (Load Control Station) on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway.

Around 60 per cent to 65 per cent cargoes are unloaded in Narayanganj, not in Chattogram, due to the weighing scale on the highway. The traders of other districts can carry 20 tonnes of goods by their trucks or lorries, while Chattogram traders can carry only 13 tonnes. This is a clear discrimination.

There had already been a weighing scale on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway at Daudkandi of Cumilla. Still another weighing scale was set up at Boro Darogahat in Sitakunda on the highway in June 2018.

The exporters and importers suggest that the government remove all weighing scales on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway, or set up scales on all the highways across the country to eradicate the discrimination.

Tidal water is another perennial problem the traders face at Chaktai, Khatunganj and Asadganj. Most of the godowns of essentials including rice, onion, etc. go under knee-deep water during high tide. Besides, raining also creates waterlogging in the areas. So, a huge quantity of essentials in the godowns gets damaged due to the tidal water and also also rainwater.

A large area of Khatunganj, Chaktai and neighbouring Korbaniganj and Rajakhali on both sides of the Chaktai canal gets submerged in knee-deep to waist-deep water during the high tide and monsoon rain. Large quantities of perishable commodities, including onions, garlic, rice, lentils, sugar, tea and spices get damaged as water enters shops and warehouses at the wholesale markets. The traders raised the height of the doors of both shops and warehouses in an effort to prevent water from coming in. However, even this is not enough as water seeps in through the walls. The interim government should look into the problem with urgency.

Extortion of money was a cause of grave concern for the Chattogram businessmen during the Awami League regime. At that time, terrorists engaged in silent extortion. Around 15/20 groups patronised by politically influential people were engaged in crime and extortion in the area. They used to collect toll from businessmen as well as the trucks, lorries, etc. everyday. The shopkeepers and small businesspersons were suffering due to the extortion. But, after the ouster of the Awami League government, vested quarters again engaged in occupying business enterprises, extortion, etc. here. Now, they are using the big names in the political circle for extortion. Some of them phone the businessmen and business enterprises for toll. They warn the concerned businessmen and others of the consequence, if they disclose the toll collection to police or journalists or anybody else.

[email protected]