CHATTOGRAM, July 01: The Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association (BSAA) and the Bangladesh Container Shipping Association (BCSA) are going to be amalgamated after 15 years.
The two important shipping associations of the country have decided to coalesce and work unitedly through resolving all shipping business-related issues and problems.
The decision was taken at the 41st annual general meeting (AGM) of the BSAA held at Agrabad Hotel in the port city recently.
BSAA Chairman Ahsanul Haque Choudhury presided over the meeting. Senior Vice Chairman Syed Md Arif attended the programme.
BSAA's executive committee members Shahed Sarwar, Ajfar Ali, Mamunur Rashid, Ali Ashraf Khan, Rafiqul Anwar Babu, Muntasir Rubayet, Khairul Alam Sujan, Sajjadur Rahman and Shafiqul Alam Jewel were also present.
Briefing about BSAA's performance and achievements in 2017, Ahsanul Haque Chowdhury said both the BSAA and BCSA were beset with manifold shipping-related problems.
He noted that the problems arose since the BCSA became a separate entity emerging from the BSAA in 2003.
He put emphasis on integration of the two associations with the view to working together as a united and stronger entity.
The common problems faced by the shipping agents of the country can be resolved through reunification of the two entities, the BSAA leader expected.
The move for merger, jointly taken by the executive committees of the two shipping associations, were disseminated and discussed at the AGM.
All members of the executive bodies of the two associations expressed their opinions in favour of merger.
The meeting approved the proceedings of the 40th AGM held in 2017, annual report and audited accounts of that AGM, and decided to appoint an audit firm for 2018.
The BSAA executive body members also exchanged views with general members and representatives of the member firms on progress of works made to solve different issues.
Former chairman of the BSAA Dr Parvez Sajjad Akhtar emphasised on the unity of all shipping agents.
Mr Akhtar said he was elected chairman of Maritime Port Standing Committee for the Shipping Ministry at the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry as he was the leader of the BSAA.
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