Asian Shippers’ Alliance (ASA) and Global Shippers’ Alliance (GSA) Meeting was held in Hong Kong & Macau recently.
Hong Kong Shippers’ Council & Macau Shippers’ Association arranged the meetings, said a statement.
Mr. Denis Choumert, Chairman, European Shippers’ Council (ESC) presided over the meeting.
A 2-member delegation of Shippers’ Council of Bangladesh (SCB) headed by its Chairman, Md. Rezaul Karim attended the meeting. Arzu Rahman Bhuiyan, Director of SCB also attended.
The meeting discussed about rising protectionism worldwide and the possibility of resulting in trade wars as a major threat to the global economy. GSA addressed to EU Trade Commissioner and assured of their strong support for her efforts to reduce the negative impact of a trade war between the US and EU.
Consequences of such a trade war would certainly spread to other countries and regions in the world. The meeting stated that additional costs as a result of higher duties, quotas or non-tariff measures reduce the volume of trade amongst countries and therefore will have a negative effect on welfare.
Chairman, Shippers’ Council of Bangladesh (SCB) & also the Vice Chairman of Asian Shippers’ Alliance took part in the discussion and stated that Bangladesh has achieved the eligibility of graduation from LDC’s to a developing country under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
"Our main sea port needs to be more strengthened because 92 per cent sea-borne trade takes place through the Chittagong Port, the country’s main gateway. So the country’s economy is dependent on the development of this port," the SCB chair stated.
Representatives from Hong Kong Shippers’ Council, Macau Shippers’ Association, Thai National Shippers’ Council, European Shippers’ Council, Sri-Lanka Shippers’ Council, Malaysian National Shippers’ Council and Indonesia National Shippers’ Council also attended the meetings.
-rmc//
