Maritime industry defines the future economy of Bangladesh. Recently, we attained a vast maritime territory which obliges us to transform this attainment into our asset. For this, first we need to build up a mass awareness at the community level and disseminate this potential among them, so that they can come forward and make the best use of it. The target set in Vision 2021 and 2041 Bangladesh has to expand and increase its maritime industries and institutions. Policy makers need to focus on a rewarding communication and fruitful exchange between associate bodies. It is imperative they are kept abreast on all the contemporary technology and technical issues related to the maritime world.
All ports in country are currently undergoing tremendous development spree for the easing of the ever growing demand of economic progress. Deep sea port besides, other specialized ports are soon to emerge in country. Looks like, now is the best of times to focus more and more on a greater involvement of the community with our maritime world as well as its rewarding potential.
Keeping this priorities at its core Chittagong Port Authority- the most important maritime body in the country organized ‘Port Expo Bangladesh 2017’. For the first time in the history of Bangladesh, CPA took the solemn and brave initiative to promote the branding of the port before the other stakeholders, to attract investment from the potential local and overseas organizations, and to expose the capability of the port potentials before a greater audience and thus increase the enthusiasm of the younger generation of the country.
Collective contribution of stakeholders, export-import traders as well as the suppliers always play a significant role towards the development of port’s performance and capacity. On the other hand, general people, although curious, are missing out on how enormous is the contribution of the port on their day-to-day lives. What goes on in the port? How does it work? Who are working behind all the activities? Better late than never, most of these curiosities have been fulfilled at the Expo which did accommodate all the different departments of the port and the stakeholders to elaborate on their roles.
‘And there was evening, and there was morning- the first day’
25th April was the 130th anniversary of the Chittagong port. The authority was in search of innovative ideas to celebrate this journey, hence came the concept of Port Expo. Eventually, the port expo committee was formed along with a number of sub committees. To ensure all stakeholders of the maritime sector, several meetings took place attended by the port Chairman, the event management firm and the stakeholders. The newly constructed car-shed was selected as the venue of the two-day long gala event held on 27-28 April.
Port in Festive Look
Port Expo unleashed an array of lively promotion by fixing banners and festoons all across the city besides distributing leaflets among the people in addition to setting off a multicolored motorcade. Besides, people learnt about the Expo over fm radio promotion and advertisement run on television too. Hundreds of artists and technicians along with their arsenal of wood, bamboo, hardboard, clothes, papers and many other items joined in the march for over duration of two weeks working round the clock to give the 0.25 million sq. ft. area of the car-shed an outstanding ambiance. The Chairman took upon the leading role in addition to his administration along with the general staff who quite enthusiastically took part in the commotion and made great contribution.
A festive look got upon the landscape of over a kilometer of area from the car-shed. The ornamented flying birds set by piles of containers over the fountain stationed at the custom intersection was conveying the message of a carnival imminent at the port. A lighthouse stood at the entrance of the venue. Inside it, you could find a ship propping out of the wall besides a real life boat. Illustrated sampans on the floor hued in ocean blue and the algae, and many kinds of fishes, graffiti on containers and replicas hanging down the ceiling gave the audience a clear communiqué that exist between the sea and the sea trade.
Inauguration by the Prime Minister
Honorable Prime Minister inaugurated the carnival through a video conference from her Ganabhaban felicitating the official and staff of the Port of Chittagong. All kinds of visitors including high officials from the navy, army and air force, besides business leaders and government officials began to arrive at the multicolor venue since early hours on 27 April. The official procedure began exactly at 12 noon. Chairman of the port in his opening speech made a brilliant presentation on the future framework of the port. Shipping minister Shajahan Khan MP then spoke on the implication of the occasion followed by two port-users. Premier Sheikh Hasina gave an earnest hearing to them all and then made her inauguration speech.
In her speech, the premier congratulated the official and staff of the port for their success and called upon them all to celebrate this festival. A group of children then offered a dance to the Hon’ble Premier. As the ceremony got over, the prime minister handed over conciliatory checks to the relatives of a number of port staff harmed during work at port in different times.
Mini Version of the Port
The brilliant decorations replicated the port at different levels. At the stall of the Marine Department, a seven feet long table was displaying the whole of the 16 km long navigation route with installations on both sides extending from the estuary of Karnaphuli up to the jetty. The Mechanical Department stall had replicas of gantry crane, straddle carrier, rubber tyre gantry crane, fork lift and other types of container handling equipment. Officials there had to undergo a really busy time explaining to the visitors about different functions of the different equipment.
International maritime ventures had their sharing in the expo too. Notable among them was leading port equipment manufacturer Kalmar as well as shipping companies like MAERSK Line, MGH, GBX, Yung Min Line and OOCL.
BBA student of Chittagong Independent University Ishtiaque Ahmed says, we do not usually have a chance to visit the restricted port area. This expo has given us a chance to learn about the different functions taking place at the port under a single roof.
Bangladesh Navy demonstrated a mini-replica of the submarine recently procured by the country. It also explained on the process of renovating a ship at their dry dock.
65 enterprises through 132 stalls participated at the Port Expo. Notable among them were Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Chittagong Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industries, BKMEA, Chittagong Port Women’s Association, Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association and the others.
28 April, the second day of the expo was a Friday and saw a rush of visitors coming to the fair since early in the morning. The car-shed became a compact bunch of people before the afternoon that gave the security staff, sometimes, a hard time to keep the situation under control. Port Expo invigorated greater expectation and instilled new impetus among the business circle of country.
Cultural Soiree in the Evening
A pleasant cultural evening was held that opened with the instrumentals of patriotic songs `Dhono Dhanney Pushpe Bhora, Amader Ei Boshundhara’ and `O Amar Desher Mati’ mesmerizing the audience. Artists from Dhaka joined in the festive evening presenting their Cultural Night. Celebrity actor Ferdous danced to the tunes of Chittagonian folk songs along with noted actress Purnima and the Flying Faruque Dance Group. More than 600 spectators enjoyed the show along with Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan MP, Port Chairman and the other delegates.
A shadow parliamentary debate by the students of Chittagong University and Premier University was held the next day. In the afternoon celebrity musician Pintu Ghosh made his appearance and presented a dazzling performance for the audience.
As the End Nears
Finally, there was the closing ceremony attended by the Commerce Minister Tofael Ahmed as the Chief Guest. Before the beginning of the ceremony, Board Member (planning and administration) Zafar Alam made a power point presentation elaborating on the ongoing functions and future planning of the port.
President of the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Finance Dr. Abdur Razzak MP was present as the Special Guest. Among others were Indian Deputy High
Commissioner Somnath Halder including high officials from the army, navy and air force as well as political and business leaders of the community.
Three stalls from the port-ventures and three from the external participants were awarded with special prizes for their beautiful decoration and commendable performance.
The Light Goes On
As soon as the closing ceremony comes to an end, a festive of fireworks unleashes at the stadium ground right in the opposite direction of the expo premises. The dazzling lights bursting into the night sky illuminated not only the port installations but also the other adjacent areas almost like daylight.
The preparation for over one and a half month, the on-the-spot making of the show that took a period of two weeks and finally, two big days of celebration came to its end, however the light endowed by the expo still remains in heart of all.
Port Expo Bangladesh 2017 commenced a new chapter in our diary that would keep inspiring us for a very long time into future.
