CHATTOGRAM, July 22: Cargo transshipment between Bangladesh and India will help boost the economies of both the countries, said the leaders of trade and business community in the port city on Wednesday.
The transshipment of Indian goods through the Chittagong port, which started on July 21 with a trial run, is a positive development for the economy of Bangladesh, first vice-president of BGMEA MA Salam told The FE.
He said, "The Chittagong port has already increased its capacity. Now, the port will have to enhance the quality of its services for the international clients. I hope that the port management will take steps to meet the international standards for services to transshipment clients as well as local clients."
"After the regular transshipment begins, The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) has to deal with a growing number of clients by providing services of international standards. I think the CPA has entered a new era through the introduction of transshipment," he added.
He also said, "Cargo transshipment is an international business at the government level. Our government and our port will earn revenue from it. The private business sector will also benefit from the cargo transshipment, thereby boosting our national economy in the future."
President of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) Mahabubul Alam said, "It is a very good news for us that we have started the trial transshipment with India on July 21. I hope that regular transshipment will begin very soon."
He said, "The Chittagong seaport has increased its capacity in recent years. The transshipment facility will open up new avenues for business and trade between the two neighbouring countries."
"Our port and government can earn tariffs while the businessmen of Bangladesh can get business opportunities created by the transshipment. I thank the Prime Minister for opening a new door of trade and business through introducing transshipment facility," he said.
Tarafdar Ruhul Amin, managing director of Saif Powertec Limited, the main operator of terminals of Chittagong port, said the July 21 is a historic day as the trial transshipment started on this day.
"The people of India were waiting for years to see transshipment of Indian goods through the Chittagong port. Finally, the first ship named 'MV Senjuti' reached the outer anchorage of Chittagong port on July 21 and berthed at the NCT. The operators handled the transshipment cargoes successfully," said Mr Amin, also the vice-president of CCCI.
He also said, "As the cost of carrying goods will decline due to transshipment facility, the cost of goods will also come down. So, the people of Tripura and its adjoining states of India will be benefited. At the same time, Bangladesh will also earn revenues for providing the transshipment facility. Port and transport-related businessmen in Bangladesh will also be benefited."
Mijanur Rahman Majumdar, chairman and managing director of Port Land Group, said, "Introducing transshipment facility is an achievement for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. It will open up new avenues for trade and business between Bangladesh and India."
"The transshipment adds a new dimension to our national economy. Our port and customs will earn more revenues. Moreover, this facility will provide business opportunities for shipping agents, C&F agents, cargo transportation agents. Also, new employment opportunities will be created after regular transshipment starts. As a result, our economy will get a boost," he added.
The trial transshipment of Indian goods through Chittagong port began on July 21, with the first ship named MV Senjuti arriving at the outer anchorage of the Chittagong port.
Earlier on July 11 last, MV Senjuti left the Chittagong port for Kolkata Shyama Proshad Mukharje port. The ship returned to Chittagong after loading a total of four transshipment containers from there. The containers bound for Tripura were sent to the border from the NCT of Chittagong port at around 2:30am on Wednesday.
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