Shift warehouses to Shyampur, get licences renewed

Traders in Old Dhaka who shift their chemical warehouses to the capital's Shyampur will be able to get their trade licences renewed, said Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh yesterday. 

However, he did not explicitly state that those who do not shift will not be able to get their licences renewed.

The government has not been issuing and renewing their trade licences for a long time following incidents of fires breaking out in chemical warehouses in Old Dhaka and endangering lives.

Taposh ‍shared the information at an event organised by the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dhaka (MCCI) at its Motijheel office, where he unveiled a new five-year trade licence registration and renewal policy.

"I hope businesses will take this opportunity. We want to make this city liveable for future generations," he said.

A total of 54 chemical warehouses were inaugurated at Shyampur in the capital on June 4, after which traders of chemical products were asked to apply to rent the warehouses between July 24 and August 24.

However, traders say that the rent fixed by the authorities for the warehouses was too high.

The 54 warehouses sit on about six acres of land, each on 1,444 square feet.

However, in addition to the warehouse, the businesses have to pay rent for a total of 2,056 square feet, including office spaces and other facilities.

Domestic and foreign investment have slowed alongside business at present, said MCCI President Md Saiful Islam.

He thanked the mayor for keeping his commitment of August last year following the MCCI's request of extending the tenure of the licences to five years instead of just one year.