The Port Users Forum has been revived after a prolonged period of inactivity, with business leaders pledging to work jointly to identify and resolve issues affecting the Chattogram Port, customs and the region’s trade and investment environment.
Former Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) President Amir Humayun Mahmud Chowdhury was elected chairman of the forum at its first meeting following the revival on 21 September.
The meeting, held at the World Trade Center conference hall in Chattogram, was chaired by CCCI President Mohammed Amirul Haque. Representatives of around 12 organisations associated with the Chattogram Port, including the CCCI, BGMEA and BKMEA, attended the meeting.
The forum was originally formed under the leadership of the Chattogram Chamber to bring together organisations representing different segments of the port and trade community.
After being elected chairman, Amir Humayun said the forum was being revived as a common platform for port-related organisations after a long hiatus.
“The forum will operate under the aegis of the Chattogram Chamber, bringing together all organisations involved with the port,” he said.
He said issues arising among member organisations would be addressed through dialogue, while matters requiring government decisions would be pursued through collective negotiations. He urged all member organisations to nominate two representatives each, as stipulated in the forum’s rules, so that its committee could be formed quickly and begin functioning effectively.
CCCI President Mohammed Amirul Haque said Chattogram was gradually emerging as a regional logistics and investment hub because of its strategic geographical location, making the role of port users increasingly important.
He said the business community needed to remain united in raising and resolving issues involving the port, customs and other government agencies.
“To reduce the cost of doing business and ensure ease of doing business, the business community itself should determine how this logistics hub will be developed and managed,” he said.
Amirul Haque also stressed the importance of prioritising Bangladeshi entrepreneurs in trade and investment.
He said the business community welcomed foreign investment but argued that foreign investors should not be encouraged to enter sectors where local entrepreneurs already had adequate capacity. Instead, he suggested attracting foreign investment through joint ventures and partnerships in sectors where domestic businesses lacked sufficient capacity.
He also called for long-standing local operators at Chattogram Port to be given opportunities to participate in port-related privatisation initiatives.
Otherwise, he said, local entrepreneurs could become discouraged, potentially undermining the country’s efforts to achieve its desired economic growth.
CCCI Senior Vice President Md. Amjad Hossain Chowdhury said greater unity among business organisations would help resolve problems involving the port, customs and other government departments.
He urged business organisations across Chattogram to work together to shape the commercial city according to their collective vision.
Among those who spoke at the meeting were BGMEA Director Md. M. Mohiuddin Chowdhury; CCCI Directors Engineer Md Golam Sarwar and Captain Md Alauddin Al Azad; Water Transport Cell Convener Haji Md. Shafi; Bangladesh Cargo Vessel Owners Association General Secretary Khurshid Alam; Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association Chairman Capt Md Salah Uddin Chowdhury, Directors Md. Didarul Alam; BAFFA Director (Customs) Mostak Ahmed Talukdar and Director (Off-dock) Ariful Alam Majumder; Md Azmir Hossain Chowdhury of Mediterranean Shipping Company Ltd.; Chowdhury Group DMD Shahed Sarwar; Chattogram Port Lighterage Contractors Association President MM Musa Bablu; and Customs Agents Association Executive Member Md Monirul Islam Chowdhury.
CCCI Directors Mohammad Habibur Rahman and ASM Ismail Khan, Bangladesh Ship Breakers and Recycling Association President Mohammad Mohsin, BKMEA Director Fauzul Imran Khan, and leaders of various other organisations were also present.
