Bay Terminal project should get top priority

Business leaders based in Chattogram yesterday urged the government to give top priority to the Bay Terminal construction project to enhance the port's capacity to cope with spiralling foreign trade.

Once constructed, the terminal with three times more space compared to Chittagong port would also be able to serve the neighbouring countries, including the north-eastern states of India, they opined. The country's overall economic development mostly lies on the development of Chattogram, they said.

They also proposed for giving more focus on different development projects like elevated expressway, bullet train between Chattogram and Dhaka and stronger connectivity between Chattogram and three hill districts and Cox's Bazar. The top businesses also demanded introduction of a separate ministry for the port to oversee and streamline the port's activities.

They came up with the proposals at a seminar titled “Development roadmap - Chattogram division in the wake of Vision 2021 and Vision 2041” at World Trade Centre in Chattogram.

The Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) in association with the finance and planning affairs sub-committee of the central Awami League organised the seminar.

Prime Minister's Economic Affairs Adviser and Chairman of the Sub-Committee Mashiur Rahman chaired the event.

Rahman stressed the need for enhancing skills of manpower as well as better utilisation of the skilled manpower to attain the benefit of the country's demographic dividend which will last till 2040.

He emphasised on creating more employment opportunities in this regard.

He said development does not only relate to growth, it also needs to bring changes to the people as well as the society and the issue should be addressed.

The country's import and export activities would be hampered if the Chittagong port cannot work properly, Rahman said.

It is also necessary to ensure proper development of the country's main seaport as well as making other ports like Mongla and Payra more effective, he said.

Member Secretary of the Sub Committee Tipu Munshi, who moderated the seminar, said they are organising such divisional seminars to collect proposals from the local business leaders regarding economic development at their respective localities.

“Later we would formulate reports and incorporate the suggestions in the party's next election manifesto.”

Proper implementation of Mirsarai and two other economic zones would create around 1.5 crore jobs, CCCI President Mahbubul Alam said.

Alam also stressed the need for selecting real investors while allocating land in these economic zones.

The Bay Terminal should be implemented as a first track project since the terminal would be able to meet demand for the next 50 years, he said.

The chamber leader also demanded installation of scanners at all the 10 entry gates of Chittagong port and procurement of required equipment for the smooth operation of the port.

The weight limit set for cargo transport on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway is discriminatory for Chattogram-based businesses, Chittagong Customs Clearing and Forwarding Agents Association President AKM Akhter Hossain said. He demanded withdrawal of the limit.

Ruling party lawmaker Shamsul Haque Chowdhury, former CCCI vice president MA Salam, former directors Mahfuzul Hoque Shah, SM Abu Tayyab and Moinul Islam and BKMEA Director Showkat Osman spoke among others.