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Steps underway to establish private container terminal |
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March 1, 2001
Dhaka-- – Industries Minister Tofail Ahmed yesterday said steps are underway to remove obstacles to establishing a private container terminal. “The ministry concerned is working on it. Steps are being taken to find an amicable solution to the satisfaction of all parties concerned to remove the hurdles,” he told the monthly luncheon meeting of Foreign Investors’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) here yesterday. As the EU decided to provide LDCs with duty-free access, the minister hoped that the United States would also extend similar facilities to Bangladesh. He mentioned that Egypt had agreed to allow duty-free access of Bangladeshi products during the Prime Minister’s visit to Cairo. Switzerland and Australia also declared such facilities to Bangladesh a negotiation was going on with Japan, he added. About the concern over political impasse, Tofail said although there is no difference between the ruling and opposition parties in keeping economic agenda out of political agenda, it’s unfortunate that the opposition are giving hartal programmes. FICCI President Wali Bhuiyan said frequent work stoppages in Chittagong Port by labour forces and rent seeking practices have crossed the tolerable limit. If the existing inefficiencies and bottlenecks are not removed soon, the country’s economy will continue to suffer to the detriment of our national interest, he said. About the proposed US-Bangladesh joint venture container terminal in Chittagong port, he said the project is yet to see the light of the day because of hurdles created by some quarters with vested interests. He called upon the government to be firm in removing the unjust hurdles put up on the way of implementation of the project. Wali Bhuiyan also expressed concern over the recent government step restricting movement of truck before 8pm to minimise traffic congestion. He said this step caused serious problem for the business community in transportation of goods. “Security of goods transported and timely delivery has become a major problem as a result of the decision.” Bhuiyan put forward a FICCI suggestion to the government to consider issue of special passes to manufacturing industries for plying of trucks during daytime. |