The seminar’s theme was ‘efficient port logistic management and trade competitiveness of Bangladesh’.

The Bangladesh government was recently urged by speakers at a seminar hosted by an industry chamber to make the port logistics system more efficient to reduce the cost of doing business and attract more investment into the industrial sector. They called for framing a ‘National Logistics Policy’ for a more resourceful and organised port logistics management.

As the Abu Dhabi Port has showed interest to work in Bangladesh’s port sector, it would be helpful for enhancing capacity of the ports, shipping secretary Mohammad Mostafa Kamal told the seminar.

Along with Chattogram port, Mongla port has also started handling more containers while Payra port will be fully operational soon, he added.

DCCI president Rizwan Rahman said port logistics management is an important element of international trade competitiveness. With the country’s growing export, Chattogram port has become the world’s 64th busiest, but has been ranked as Asia’s least efficient seaport, he said.

“If the infrastructural capacity of Chattogram port is increased, our cost of doing business will reasonably fall, resulting in better lead time, which lures more investors in the country,” Rahman was quoted as saying by Bangla media reports.

Slow container handling, lower drafting capacity, inefficient port management, limited port yards, poor turnaround time and scarcity of modern equipment are a barrier to Chattogram port from turning efficient, according to the World Bank.

Bangladesh is ranked 100th in the logistic performance index and 102nd in the logistics quality and competence index.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)