The country's prime seaport Chittagong ought to be turned into one of top 30 seaports in the world, Finance Minister AMA Muhith said, setting a timeline up to 2030.
"I believe this should be among the top 30 seaports in the world within the next thirteen years," Muhith said at a programme organised by Chittagong Port Authority in the capital on Tuesday, taking a cue from its recent elevation by international standards.
The projection by the finance minister came at a time when on Llyod's List of top 100 seaports in the world, Chittagong's rank got elevated from 98 in 2009 to 71 in 2017.
Reflecting on this feat, the Finance Minister said, "Often, the government has not been able to allocate enough money for the efficient operations of the seaports. In addition, there are also some management problems."
He adds: "Despite all these limitations, this is a wonderful achievement for the Chittagong Port."
Speaking on the occasion, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed said much of the country's trade and export performance depends on the seaports, especially Chittagong seaport.
"Therefore, infrastructure and operational capacity of the seaports should be as such as does not create any hindrance to overseas trade," he added.
Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan in his speech noted that the government has not only enhanced the capacity of Chittagong port but also turned the Mongla seaport, which had incurred losses over the decades, into a profitable one.
FBCCI president Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, eminent industrialist and Prime Minister's Private Sector Development Adviser Salman F Rahman, Chairman of Chittagong Port Authority M Khaled Iqbal and Editor of Lloyd's List Linton Nightingale also spoke on the occasion.
