Businesses’ worry over hassles at Ctg port, CCH

CHITTAGONG, Aug 23: Businesses have expressed deep concern over different activities of Chittagong port and Chittagong Customs House (CCH) and the transportation problems that act as deterrent to the business-friendly environment in the country.
President of Chittagong Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CMCCI) Khalilur Rahman said Saturday cargo handling in the port is hampered due to lack of adequate equipment and urged the authorities concerned not to enter into any fresh contract with private berth operators that lack equipment facilities.
Chittagong port handles some 90 per cent of the country's total export and import but hampering of productivity in the port is a matter of great concern for businesses, he said adding that the private entrepreneurs are suffering a lot due to increase in their cost of doing business.
He alleged that officials of the Chittagong port have visited and witnessed cargo handling activities of a number of seaports in the neighbouring and far-off countries but did not take any lesson from them to run the premier port properly.
Referring to different media reports relating to discouraging activities, the CMCCI president said the efficiency and mobility of the port that was expected following government move to encourage private investment is purely absent in the port.
"Allegations have been there for long that the port authority cannot implement the deals signed with certain circles in the private sector. Equipment worth billions of Taka owned by the Chittagong port is being used by Saif Powertec and other private berth operators while container handling there takes a long time," he said.
He emphasised owning the cargo and container handling equipment by the berth operators themselves and said otherwise the activities in the port would not be expedited.
He further said handling activities of the private inland container depots (ICDs) are being hampered as the port cannot maintain adequate space facilities for import, export and shipment of containers. A container carried by trailer to the port from an off-dock takes six to seven hours which is unusual, he said.
As regards ASYCUDA World software system implemented in the CCH, he said the cost of business has increased and release of import documents has been much time-consuming.
"It elongates getting imported raw materials for garment and capital machinery released from the customs house," he said adding that many complaints have been lodged with the authorities concerned but to no results.
"The ASYCUDA server has rather slowed down customisation and documentation activities in the CCH resulting in creating options for the employees and officials to claim tips or additional money," Rahman said.
"We need a system to facilitate businesses and liberalise rules in the automation and ASYCUDA which will reduce hassles of the business," he said.
Mr Rahman said the road communication in Chittagong is really in a very bad shape that has been candidly admitted by Communication Minister Obaidul Quader recently. Steps should urgently be taken up to remove potholes in the city roads caused due to heavy rainfall and tidal surge.