CHITTAGONG: The blockade which began from the very beginning of the current year could not create any impact on the country’s export and import trade rather it showed uptrend during this period.

At country’s largest seaport Chittagong, the volume of container handling and unloading of goods has shown remarkable growth breaking the record of its 128 years.

The concerned people said that though there were some problems in internal transportation but there was no negative impact on export-import.

According to the people concerned, business has now become normal though the small traders have faced hassles in January and February.

According to sources of Chittagong Port, in current year so far 91 lakh 51 thousand and 176 tons of goods were unloaded which is some 14 lakh 39 thousand and 635 tons more than the same period of past year.

Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) chairman Rear Admiral Nizamuddin Chowdhury told Banglanews that the growth rate of Chittagong Port will help Bangladesh to go ahead economically.

He said that during blockade the situation of container handling and goods unloading were completely normal. The new growth record is proving that reality.

The CPA chairman further said that they continued the unloading of goods amid tight security.

Former first vice-president of BGMEA Nasiruddin Chowdhury told Banglanews that during first two months the businesspeople faced some problems but after that the situation came to normalcy.

Chittagong chamber director Mahfuzul Haque Shah told Banglanews there was no impact of blockade in export-import trade though there was some crisis in internal transportation, which has now become normal.

Terminal manager of CPA transport department Enamul Karim told Banglanews that the transportation of goods have increased much than the same period of last year.

Inter-district Truck and Covered-van Owners Association Munir Hossain told Banglanews that the transposition of goods is now completely normal though during the initial stage of blockade the drivers and their staff did not agree to run their vehicles due to arson attacks.

But the Chittagong Metropolitan Chamber director and also BSM Group chairman Abul Bashar Chowdhury alleged that the truck owners are still demanding excess fare for carrying goods.

Refuting the blame, Munir said that the fixed rate is now being taken.

Chittagong Inter-district Truck Workers Union president Abdul Mannan opined that the transportation of goods in internal routes is now 95 percent safe.

BDST: 1756 HRS, APR 07, 2015
Edited by Shahjahan
RR/SMS