Terming connectivity an important factor for realising Vision 2021, speakers at a discussion suggested on Wednesday to introduce coastal shipping with India and Thailand for ensuring economic growth and better life.
They called for initiating a shipping agreement with the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Their suggestion came at a seminar on "Increasing Maritime Connectivity: Bangladesh Business Prospects" organised by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) at its auditorium on the day.
DCCI President Hossain Khaled delivered the address of welcome. Captain AKM Shafiqullah, honorary technical advisor of H S Group of Companies presented the key- note paper.
Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan was present as the chief guest while Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Shipping (MoS) Major (retd) Rafiqul Islam (Bir Uttam) MP was present as special guest.
DCCI President Hossain Khaled laid emphasis on infrastructure development for economic uplift of the country.
He further said Bangladesh could have attained 8 per cent to 9 per cent gross domestic product (GDP) if the country had adequate infrastructure.
Mr Khaled said 80 per cent of global trade is carried through maritime connectivity.
He said due to maritime advantage of the country, Bangladesh has the opportunity to expand trade and business with India, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan and China as well as Sri Lanka.
"We have to improve and develop our sea ports' facilities including capacity of container handling," he said while stressing on maritime connectivity.
DCCI's former president Mohammad Shahjahan Khan and Professor Khabirul Haque of the Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineer of Bangladesh University of Engineering Technology (BUET) took part in the discussion.
They stressed road and rail connectivity along with maritime connectivity. Professor Haque pleaded for a separate sea authority or agency of the government.
Mr Mohammad Shahjahan Khan called for making Pangaon inland container terminal effective.
Major (retd) Rafiqul Islam, MP suggested establishment of deep sea-port considering the issue of safety, regional and international trade relations.
He emphasised conducting a comprehensive study on siltation of our rivers.
He said the study should have an indication of how much our rivers would be affected by siltation in next 50-60 years.
The government is continuously dredging the silt-affected rivers to ensure navigability, he said adding we have to utilise our 24,000 kilometre waterways for the sake of business expansion, he said.
Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan said Chittagong sea port is going to be the 76th among all the sea-ports in the world this year in terms of operational efficiency whereas it was in the 86th position last year.
He further said Chittagong sea port handled 1.71 million containers last year. He also said the government has done a lot of development works in maritime sector. As a result, Mongla port made a profit of Tk 600 million last year.
He said 6-7 countries have already showed their interest to invest in the proposed Paira sea-port.
"The government is working hard to make Paira sea-port fully operational by the year 2023," he said.
Mr Khan said the government has taken an initiative for dredging 53 rivers across the country.
This year the Ministry of Shipping will recruit 21 surveyors to expedite survey activities, he added.
He urged the private sector to invest in maritime business as it will be a flourishing sector in near future because of increased local and regional connectivity.
He stressed capacity building of the people directly involved in the maritime sector.
Senior vice-president of DCCI Humayun Rashid offered vote of thanks.
DCCI Directors Alhaj Abdus Salam, AKD Khair Mohammad Khan and former directors Ahmed Hossain Mozumder and Bashir Ullah Bhuyian also spoke.
DCCI Vice President Md. Shoaib Choudhury, Directos Atique-e-Rabbani, Muktar Hossain Chowdhury, former Vice President Hossain A Sikder, M Abu Hurairah, Kh. Shahidul Islam and Secretary General AHM Rezaul Kabir were also present.
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