CCCI chief seeks Japan's assistance to construct Sonadia deep-sea port

Our Correspondent

CHITTAGONG, Feb 03: A twelve-member team of representatives of the Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI) headed by its president Salauddin Kasem Khan and First Secretary of the Japan embassy in Dhaka Takashi Shimokyoda exchanged views with the leaders of the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) at its office at the World Trade Centre in the city today.

CCCI president Mahbubul Alam, senior vice president Nurun Newaz Selim, vice president Syed Jamal Ahmed, director Anjan Shekhar Das, former director Mahfuzul Haque Shah, former chairman of the NBR Dr Md Abdul Majid, JBCCI adviser Akhtaruzzaman and secretary general Tareq Rafi Bhuiyan were present on the occasion.

Japanese embassy's First Secretary Takashi Shimokyoda said many Japanese companies are eager to relocate their industries to other countries and Bangladesh is in their priority list. In this regard, he sought more security measures for the Japanese investors in Bangladesh.

He further said many Japanese entrepreneurs are interested to invest in Bangladesh and consulting regularly with the embassy officials for the same. For extension of activities the JICA will open an office at the World Trade Centre in Chittagong soon, he added.

Former NBR chairman Dr Abdul Majid called for review of the JICA report. Mahbubul Alam recalled the immense contribution of Japan to the infrastructure and socio-economic development of Bangladesh. He said Japan has been supporting Bangladesh without any condition. He sought Japan's cooperation in the construction of Sonadia deep seaport and Bay Terminal of Chittagong Port Authority. Mr Mahbub said over 200 companies of Japan are working in Bangladesh. These companies can exploit the geographical advantage by investing in the special export and industrial zone (SEIZ) in Chittagong and also use the Chittagong Port which is very near to the SEIZs. He emphasised on building a special economic zone exclusively for the Japanese investors in Chittagong.

JBCCI president Salauddin Kasem Khan said the contribution of Chittagong to the national GDP (gross domestic product) is 12 per cent but it lacks facilities as a commercial capital.

He suggested organising a dialogue to create strategic partnership for development of Chittagong in coordination with the JICA, JETRO, Chittagong Chamber, JBCCI and Japan embassy in Dhaka. SVP of the CCCI Nurun Newaz Selim sought cooperation of the Japanese government in the construction of the Dhaka-Chittagong expressway. Vice president Syed Jamal also sought the Japanese investment in the special economic zones in Chittagong.

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