Shipments show healthy traffic
THE year 2013 will go down in the history of Bangladesh as a tumultuous time politically. The countrywide blockade kept the capital city in isolation from the rest of the country and put serious strain on communications and trade. In spite of that, the port city of Chittagong, principal entrepot for the bulk of imports and exports managed to increase, rather than decrease shipments to the tune of nearly 6 per cent. Credit must be given where it is due and the authorities must be commended for keeping operations flowing despite efforts made by some quarters to make the port ineffective.
This is the first time that an exception was witnessed during a tough opposition movement. That the port did not sit idle during the 50 odd days of hartals and blockades is indeed a healthy sign. We would strongly urge political parties of all hues and colours to keep business and trade above politics in national interest. Holding the economy hostage for political leverage is an archaic tool that has gone out of vogue in most parts of the world. It is high time that contingency plans be put in place so that the next round of violence, should it hit on a national scale is not allowed to disrupt movement of goods to and from the Chittagong port.
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