Dhaka, 17 July 2007: Speakers here today underscored the need for fast-track modernization of all sea ports including the Chittagong Port and called for coordinated efforts of the government, port management and labour and development partners for maximizing economic benefits to reduce poverty in the country.
“The Caretaker Government is fully focused on removing all administrative bottlenecks to turn Chittagong Port into a world-class port as it handles more than 85% of Bangladesh’s foreign trade, including the bulk of Bangladesh’s main export-garments”, Major General M A Matin, BP (retired), Adviser, Ministry of Shipping said while inaugurating a workshop at a local hotel here.
Supported by the World Bank, the workshop on " Improving Port Efficiency: Sharing International Experience of Private Container Terminal Operations’ was jointly organized by the Ministry of Shipping and the Chittagong Port Authority. Mohamed A. Toure, Acting Country Director, World Bank, Mr. Sheikh Enayetullah, Secretary, Ministry of Shipping, Commodore M. Farooque, Chairman, Chittagong Port Authority also spoke.
Matin said major modernization of the Chittagong and other Ports is critical for Bangladesh’s economy and it will require well-coordinated efforts of the Government, Port management and labour, and development partners.
Recent actions of the government have raised port efficiency by 30%, and the cost of doing business in the port is now 40% less. The overall shipping charges for in-bound cargoes have decreased significantly after cancellation of terminal handling charges. A private operator at the Chittagong Container Terminal (CCT) has started functioning and has helped improve the overall handling operations.
Congratulating the Government for its bold steps, Mohamed Toure highlighted the need for institutional reforms in Chittagong Port and suggested introducing competition from the private sector operators to improve public sector operators’ efficiency.
“The cost at Chittagong Port is higher than several ports in the region. The average turnaround time of ships in Chittagong Port is about 4 days now, however, the measured turnaround times at the private terminals have an average vessel turnaround time of 16 hours and container vessels at general cargo berths require only 21 hours. Hence, there is still room for improvement in port operations”, he said.
Later, Cornelis Kruk, Lead Port Specialist, World Bank presented port reforms tools, while D. Rajasingam, Ex-General Manager, Klang Port Authority, Malaysia highlighted on commercialization of port services through private sector. Asian Development Bank also made a presentation on Chittagong Trade Facilitation Project.
Contact:
S.M.Rezwan-ul-Alam (880-2) 8159001 Ext. 4242
E-mail: salam3@worldbank.org
|
RSS