The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Tuesday called for automation in port operations, increasing logistics facilities and reducing gap regarding coordination among related organisations.
鈥楢utomation in port operations, increasing logistics facilities, improving coordination of related government agencies, improving balance of payment conditions, increasing foreign reserves and rationally reducing the interest rate of bank loans are very important,鈥� DCCI president Ashraf Ahmed said during a discussion.
At the discussion on 鈥楨asing the Business System: An International Trade Perspective鈥� held at DCCI premises in the city, Ashraf in his keynote paper said that, in recent times, Bangladesh鈥檚 private sector had been plagued with various problems like devaluation of money, high inflation, shortage of foreign currency reserves, high interest rate of bank loans and obstacles while opening of letters of credit etc.聽
He mentioned that Bangladesh鈥檚 business expenses were constantly increasing as a result of procedural complications and lengthy procedures at customs houses, ports and imposition of various types of penalties.
鈥楢long with this, due to the lack of automation in the country鈥檚 ports, insufficient testing and scanning facilities, a lot of time is wasted in importing and exporting goods, as a result of which the businessmen are constantly lagging behind in international competition,鈥� he opined.聽
Ashraf Ahmed also mentioned that the government had set an export target of $57.5 billion for the financial year 2024-25.聽
鈥楾o achieve this target, the government needs to ensure automation and modern facilities in all ports in order to increase the overall export,鈥� he said.
The DCCI president emphasised increasing the capacity through training of C&F agents, ports employees and customs houses as well as improving land, rail & water connectivity with ports.聽
He also stressed on increasing foreign exchange reserves to facilitate international transactions.
Member (finance) of Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh SM Lablur Rahman, member (harbour and marine) of Chittagong Port Authority Commodore M Fazlur Rahman, deputy secretary (director, traffic) of Mongla Port Authority Md Kamal Hossain, joint secretary (WTO Wing), Ministry of Commerce Farhana Iris and superintendent engineer of Bangladesh Land Port Authority Md Hasan Ali joined the event as designated discussants.聽
