CHATTOGRAM, Oct 15: The Chittagong port is the lifeline of the country's economy and all necessary steps should be taken to improve its cargo handling and infrastructure facilities for smooth export and import activities, Awami League finance and planning secretary Tipu Munshi MP said on Monday.
He also said the ruling party wants to prepare its election manifesto on the basis of opinions of all businesspeople and workers and leaders at the grass root level for further national development.
He made the remarks at a seminar on the 'Development Roadmap - Chattogram Division' at the Bangabandhu International Conference Hall of the World Trade Centre in the port city.
Chaired by Prime Minister's Economic Advisor Dr Mashiur Rahman, the seminar was organised by the Awami League's central sub-committee on finance and planning in cooperation with the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).
Professor of Accounting of Chittagong University and Chairman of Bangladesh House Building Finance Corporation Dr Salim Uddin presented the keynote paper on 'Development Roadmap: Promoting Sustainable Growth of Bangladesh' in the light of Vision 2021 and Vision 2041.
Member secretary of the Awami League central sub-committee Tipu Munshi MP moderated the seminar.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Adviser Dr Mashiur Rahman said the country's import and export activities will be badly affected if the Chittagong port does not work properly.
Infrastructure development and expansion of cargo handling facilities of the Chittagong port and development of Mongla and Payra ports is crucial for country's development, he added.
At the seminar, business leaders complained that the banks are not complying with the government directives to grant loans with single-digit rates of interest.
In response, the Prime Minister's adviser said the issue will be discussed with the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister.
Former first vice president of the BGMEA SM Abu Tayab proposed setting up a separate ministry for dealing with port-related problems so that they can take measures on priority basis to strengthen the ports for the rapid export-import growth.
CCCI president Mahbubul Alam said the Chittagong port's lead time must be cut short to facilitate speedy growth of business and for that the government should consider construction of the Bay Terminal on a priority basis.
He said the businesses of Chattogram are facing serious problem in transportation of cargo as the Roads and Highways authority has enforced the axle load control only on this highway, which is causing heavy financial loss to the businesses.
A 20-foot container load of cargo now needs to be carried in two or more containers because the axle load office does not allow more than 13 metric tonnes of cargo in the container while the container itself weighs 13 metric tonnes, he explained.
Former CCCI director Mahfuzul Haque Shah questioned the introduction of the system only in Chattogram on the plea of damage of the road due to excessive load. "Even in our neighbouring West Bengal, we don't find such a system," he asked.
Vice president of Chittagong Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry AM Mahbub Chowdhury demanded a separate cell and office in the Shipping Ministry for speedy construction of the Bay Terminal.
Media Adviser of the GPH Ispat Osman Gani Chowdhury said the government is now providing necessary gas and electricity to the businesses of Chattogram and other regions, but Sitakunda, which hosts major steel industries, is suffering from lack of access to industrial water.
Urgent steps need to be taken in this regard, he added.
Shamsul Huq Chowdhury MP, assistant secretary of AL central sub-committee on finance and planning Ziaul Abedin, Raziur Reza Chowdhury Khokan, Saifullah Al Mamun, Md Rajib Parvez, sub-committee members Dr Kaniz Aklima Sultana, Fouzia Huq, Sheikh Selim Reza, Nazmul Karim Chowdhury Sharun, BGMEA leader Md Nasir, Arshad Jamal Tipu and Zobair Hassan also spoke.
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