CPA Chairman Rear Admiral Mohammad Sohail speaks at a view-exchange meeting with journalists on Wednesday. CHITTAGONG, Apr 24: The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) will observe the 137th Chattogram Port Day today (Thursday).
The Chittagong seaport is one of the oldest natural ports in the subcontinent and also the prime one of the country.
On the eve of the day, the CPA held a view-exchange meeting with journalists at the Shahid Fazlur Rahman Munshi hall on Wednesday.
Addressing the meeting, Rear Admiral Mohammad Sohail, chairman of the CPA, said, "If the Chittagong port doesn't exist, the country's economy will come to a standstill. If the port doesn't remain operative, all industries and trade will remain closed. The seaport is the heart of the country's economy and development."
He also said that the Chittagong port would be one of the international business hubs.
"We're implementing mega projects to make the Chittagong seaport most modern. It is going to be a smart and modern international seaport in the world."
Many countries can use Chittagong port as it will be one of the biggest seaports in the world from Sadarghat to Matarbari with its deep-sea port, Bay Terminal, Patenga Container Terminal (PCT), New-mooring Container Terminal (NCT), the CPA chairman adds.
"The quality and capacity of Chittagong port is increasing day by day like other modern ports in the world. Following the development of Chittagong port, we are trying to increase our service quality. The deep-sea port at Matarbari will give us direct shipping facilities which will be a new era in the shipping sector of Bangladesh. The work of the dream project is going in full swing."
Mr Sohail further says that the country's image has been boosted up by the safe release of MV Abdullah ship and its crews from the capture of Somalia's pirates. This has been made possible by the sincerity of the government, including the Honorable Prime Minister and the diplomatic activities of Bangladesh.
"We have kept our waters safe with the cooperation of the Bangladesh Navy, the Coast Guard and others. According to the report of the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia, Chittagong port is a safe port."
Many foreigners are investing in Chittagong seaport. Singapore Port, Maersk Group, Abu Dhabi Port etc are interested to invest here. Bay Terminal will be constructed with full foreign investment. Foreign investment in ports actually increases employment opportunities. It will help increase information technology, use of modern equipments etc, he said.
Chittagong port handles more than 92 per cent of export and import cargoes of Bangladesh. The port handled a record quantity of containers in first nine months of the 2023-24 fiscal year, he said.
The prime seaport of the country will handle a total of 3.2 TEUS of containers in the fiscal. he added.
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