Govt pressing ahead with deep seaport plan
Wednesday, 25 March 2009
Shipping Minister Dr Afsarul Amin Tuesday said the government is determined to move ahead with the deep seaport project at Sonadia in southern Chittagong, one of the pre-election pledges of the present government, report UNB and bdnews24.com.
"It has been mentioned in the Awami League election manifesto, and the government will implement the project," he told reporters after a meeting with an Indian delegation, which came to the city to renew the agreement on protocol on inland water transit-trade between Bangladesh and India.
The Shipping Minister said they would soon sit together to discuss further on the issue, and a presentation ceremony will take place on April 12, where ministers, secretaries and experts will be present.
He said the presentation would include a report on the feasibility study to be carried out on the probable site of the proposed deep seaport.
Replying to a question, the Minister said they have just renewed the 'Naval Protocol' agreement with India, and no fresh terms were inserted.
He said it would have been better if some time-befitting terms could be inserted in the agreement, but "you know, it's a continuous process, so it might take place later."
Afsarul Amin hoped that the trade relation between the two countries would strengthen further with the renewal of the naval protocol.
Mentioning the current scenario of Chittagong seaport, he said the government is determined to make sustainable the current smooth operations of the port.
"Everything is being modernised gradually through the application of technology, and its efficiency is being enhanced."
"It has been mentioned in the Awami League election manifesto, and the government will implement the project," he told reporters after a meeting with an Indian delegation, which came to the city to renew the agreement on protocol on inland water transit-trade between Bangladesh and India.
The Shipping Minister said they would soon sit together to discuss further on the issue, and a presentation ceremony will take place on April 12, where ministers, secretaries and experts will be present.
He said the presentation would include a report on the feasibility study to be carried out on the probable site of the proposed deep seaport.
Replying to a question, the Minister said they have just renewed the 'Naval Protocol' agreement with India, and no fresh terms were inserted.
He said it would have been better if some time-befitting terms could be inserted in the agreement, but "you know, it's a continuous process, so it might take place later."
Afsarul Amin hoped that the trade relation between the two countries would strengthen further with the renewal of the naval protocol.
Mentioning the current scenario of Chittagong seaport, he said the government is determined to make sustainable the current smooth operations of the port.
"Everything is being modernised gradually through the application of technology, and its efficiency is being enhanced."