State minister for shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury has said, the Chittagong Port needs local and foreign investment for its development works. He said this while speaking as the Chief Guest at a round table meeting titled ‘Development of Chittagong port with domestic investment’ organised by the Daily Ittefaq at the Tafazzal Hossain Manik Mia Hall of National Press Club in Dhaka on Tuesday (27 September).
Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury said, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has opened the door for the foreign investors. We had a meeting with 38 US companies who have shown keen interest in conducting study at Ghasiakhali Channel and invest in building a navigation lock there.
State Minister said, the government is now not in planning but in implementation phase. A few days back, we have exported a vessel in England that was built at our own shipyard. This ship can cut through five-metre ice. We welcome investment in this sector since Bangladesh today has gained that required capacity.
He further said, we have opened the doors. Through delimitation, we have established our rights in sea and opened the door to our economy offering the opportunity to invest in there. We need foreign investors to come forward besides the local investment. The capacity of the port has come entirely from domestic investment. The port is now open 24 hours. Chittagong port does not delay the release of goods after customs clearance.
State Minister for Shipping said the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA), the customs, and businessmen will have to work in a coordinated manner to reduce existing drawbacks. Emphasising on maritime routes, Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury said, a truck can carry just one container while a ship can carry 20-300 containers. We must think about making more use of our maritime routes. CEO of Global Television Syed Ishtiak Reja conducted the round table meeting. CPA Chairman Rear Admiral M Shahjahan, acting President if FBCCI Mostafa Azad Chowdhury Babu, Chattogram Chamber Director and Head of Port Standing Committee Anjan Shekhar Das, and BAFA President Kabir Ahmed spoke at the meeting.
