CHITTAGONG, Nov 12: Speakers at a roundtable Wednesday emphasized the completion of two under-construction special economic zones (SEZs) in Chittagong as early as possible, and setting up cord line between Laksham and Dhaka to facilitate cargo transportation through railways at minimum cost and time.
They also focused on development of Chittagong city's sewerage system, setting up waste recycling plants, renovation of existing roads alongside construction of new roads, and uplifting local tourism sector through infrastructure development in the district's adjacent areas.
The roundtable titled 'Potential and capabilities of Chittagong as first choice for investment' was organized jointly by Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and national daily Kaler Kantha at the CCCI conference hall at Agrabad in the port-city.
Kaler Kantha editor Imdadul Hoque Milon termed Chittagong as the lighthouse of investment in Bangladesh.
He said the investors cannot come to Chittagong due to lack of stable political atmosphere and shortage of gas, water, power and infrastructure.
The businesses in Chittagong also face various difficulties and administrative obstacles, and have to fly to Dhaka on silly matters.
"Bangladesh can draw huge investment from home and abroad, if the bottlenecks in Chittagong are removed," he added.
CCCI president Mahbubul Alam said the pace of constructing two SEZs at Mirsarai and Anwara is very slow. The two SEZs should be set up at the earliest, as they can attract significant foreign investment and generate employment for thousands of semi-skilled and unskilled workforce.
"Importance of Chittagong is immense from the economic perspective of Bangladesh. But we cannot exploit full potentials of the region due to the existing infrastructure-related problems and red-tapism."
Gas shortage is one of the major concerns of Chittagong, unlike anywhere in the country, and hundreds of industrial units are awaiting production due to the gas shortage. The region gets only 180-220 million cubic feet of gas a day (mmcfd) against its demand of about 400 mmcfd, although the country's gas production now stands at 2,250 mmcfd.
Dean of Southern University Ali Ashraf said that the Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) is taking infrastructure projects like flyovers, which cannot offer maximum traffic benefits but are used by a small number of vehicles operated by the rich people.
He suggested construction and expansion of east-west roads in the port-city that can bring maximum benefit to its traffic system, involving the commoners.
Chittagong WASA MD AKM Fazlullah said the port-city's water supply problem will be mitigated by 2021, as some major water supply projects are being implemented.
Stating that sewerage is the key to water-logging problem here, he said Chittagong WASA is committed to develop the sewerage system, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is now conducting a survey on it.
Both the World Bank and JICA are interested to accord technical and financial support to the project, he added.
East Delta University VC Professor Sekandar Khan suggested all infrastructure and road development projects of Chittagong be undertaken in line with the Chittagong Development Master Plan 1995.
CCCI directors Mahfuzul Huq Shah, MA Motaleb, Mahbubul Huq Chowdhury Babar and Amjad Hossain Chowdhury, former MP Majharul Huq Shah, BKMEA's Shawkat Osman, BGMEA director Anjan Shekhor Das, REHAB's Abu Sufian, businessman Taher Sobhan, Moslehuddin Chowdhury Khaled of Independent University, deputy director of Chittagong Range Ansar VDP ASM Azim Uddin, and president of Dokan Malik Samity Federation Salamat Ali also addressed the roundtable.
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