Exports can be increased by at least 20-25% with the current production capacity of Bangladesh. For this, along with infrastructure development, effective steps must be taken for its proper use. The speed of goods traffic on the highways needs to be at least doubled as compared to the present. Speakers said these things in a program titled ‘Logistics Sector: Possibilities and Problems’ organised by the American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AmCham) at a hotel in the capital on Wednesday (27 July).
AmCham President Syed Ershad Ahmed, Bangladesh Freight Forwarders Association (BAFFA) President Kabir Ahmed, and Bangladesh Supply Chain Management Society President Naquib Khan were the speakers on the occasion. Independent University Bangladesh Professor Mamun Habib presented the main article in the program which was presented by Policy Exchange of Bangladesh President Masrur Reaz.
Presenting the main article, Professor Mamun Habib said that the score of Bangladesh in logistics is only 4.44 points out of 10. Whereas China’s is 8.5 points, India’s is 7.21 points, UAE’s is 6.72 points, Malaysia’s is 6.32 points, Pakistan’s is 4.78 points, and Sri Lanka’s is 4.60 points. Therefore, if we want to go further in exports, we need to improve logistics. There is no alternative to technological improvement.
BAFFA President Kabir Ahmed said that there are complications in transporting goods by ship to and from our seaport. The cost of importing raw materials is increasing. If we follow separate procedures for import and export then the complexity will be reduced. We are not able to send products abroad according to the current demand for our products. Our airport does not have the necessary facilities. If these problems can be solved quickly, then it is possible to increase exports.
