The ministry of shipping few days back received approval from the finance ministry for raising the tariffs on average by 40 per cent, but the shipping agents and port-users stood to the move on grounds that it would ultimately result in price rises at this time of high inflation, officials said.
They insist that the tariffs can be raised 20 per cent at best -- to save both sides.
At the meeting, chaired by shipping adviser of the interim government M Sakhawat Hussain, the shipping agents and port-users pleaded for raising tariffs by 20 per cent "for the sake of trade and industry".
However, the adviser could not provide a concrete decision on this -- and publishing the gazette on new tariff rates is thus put on hold, said sources in Dhaka and at the seaport.
Earlier on July 24, the finance ministry endorsed the proposal on tariff hike as forwarded by the ministry of shipping.
However, the port-users and shipping agents reacted sharply, saying that a 40-percent hike in tariffs on goods and vessels will raise cost of doing business and price of goods, thereby fuelling inflation.
Contacted, Mohammed Yousuf, senior secretary at the ministry of shipping, told the FE Monday no concrete decision was taken at the meeting.
"The adviser may give a decision about this Tuesday," he said.
He said since already an approval had been taken from the finance ministry, reviewing the tariff rates at this stage became complicated.
Shipping adviser Mr Hussain told the FE that the shipping agents and port-users urged not to raise the tariffs at a time rather to raise them in phases.
He said the shipping agents and port-users talked about customs-related various problems and so a meeting has to be convened with the National Board of Revenue (NBR).
The adviser mentioned that last time tariff was increased way back in 1986. The tariffs to be fixed now for Chittagong port will also be applicable for international investors. "If we revise down the tariff now for the Chittagong port, how can we fix higher rates for them? Because we can't apply two tariffs in one port area," he said.
He said the port-users and shipping agents at Monday's meeting raised the tariff-review issue but they did not bring it as their survival issue.
syful-islam@outlook.com