Four trade bodies request chief adviser’s interference to solve Ctg port crisis

Four major trade bodies today sent a joint letter to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, urging his direct intervention to resume smooth operations at the Chattogram port, as exports and imports have been disrupted due to protests and strikes by port workers.

The leaders of the Bangladesh Employers’ Federation, Bangladesh Textile Mills Association, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association jointly signed the letter.

They noted that around 99 percent of containerised trade takes place through the port, and 78 percent of the country’s exports and imports depend on it.

The letter warned that if imported goods meant for the upcoming Ramadan cannot be released from vessels in time, an artificial crisis of consumer goods may emerge in the market, ultimately affecting the prices of essential commodities.

Importers are also facing heavy port demurrage charges every day due to the prolonged stay of goods at the port, which could further harm the economy, the trade bodies said.