They also demanded establishment of a mega airport, development of communications infrastructure and administrative decentralisation to facilitate the export-import of the neighbouring landlocked countries.

But unfortunately, lack of legal business facilities, including ports and infrastructure, between the neighbouring countries increased smuggling, which also contributed to the criminalisation of politics in the country, they said.

Chittagong Development Forum-Dhaka organised the discussion on 'Development of Chittagong is supplementary to national development' at the National Press Club in the city. Fortune Shopping Mall, Dhaka and Roots Doors and Furniture, Chittagong sponsored it.

"We strongly demand opening up the Chittagong port and setting up a deep sea port. We are not against the privatisation of ports, but that must be through transparent process and the state must not lose its ownership," said Professor Dr Moinul Islam of Chittagong University.

"But unfortunately, we are not using the golden goose (Chittagong Port)," he said, adding that Chittagong is located in such a strategic location that it can be more developed than that of Singapore.

Major Gen (Retd) Syed Muhammad Ibrahim in his keynote presentation said large ships with more load capacity are used in the globalised world, and "If our port fails to cope up with these large ships in loading and unloading, ship owners will divert their attention to other ports."

"If such things happen due to our incapacity, it will be like disasters for our employment, export-import business and earning foreign exchange," he said emphasising the establishment of a deep sea port and modernising the Chittagong Port.

Muhammad Ibrahim also suggested establishing Chittagong and Kunming of China as twin-cities for strengthening the business relations with China.

Ataul Karim Chowdhury, consultant of Chittagong Port Computer Management System, said deep sea port has now become an essential for commercial activities for reaching the ships to the doors.

Former government official Abdul Mobarak said the government should initiate development of Halda river, which is the breeding zone of fish and can produce fish of hundreds of crores of taka every year, and development of the coastal area for attracting the tourists.

City University Vice Chancellor Professor Borhanuddin said more facilities of education and medical should be developed in Chittagong so that the high officials of both the government and non-government sectors are encouraged to go there.

Former navy official AZM Nizam and Brigadier (Retd) Mahmudul Haque also spoke.