'Ctg to be turned into unique commercial capital'

The government will take all-out measures to turn Chittagong into commercial capital with unique infrastructures and modern facilities, Commerce Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said yesterday.

"Necessary steps will be taken to turn Chittagong into commercial capital as per announcement of the cabinet," the minister said while inaugurating a residential hotel here.

The landmark Hotel, built in Agrabad commercial area, is expected to meet the growing demand for good hotels in the port city, he said.

Stressing the importance of further development of Chittagong, the commerce minister said the prime minister would lay the foundation stone of third Karnaphuli bridge.

He also said more modern hotels, including five star hotels, were needed in Chittagong before it becomes the full-fledged commercial capital.

The commerce minister called on the entrepreneurs to come up with such ventures.

Many businessmen and foreign tourists leave Chittagong by evening finding their stay uncomfortable due to lack of good hotels in the city, he pointed out.

Former ambassador AFM Yousuf, South District BNP President Ahmed Khalil Khan, former president of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry Saifuzzaman Chowdhury and Managing Director of Landmark Hotel Md Wahidul Alam attended the function.