The Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), the oldest trade body of the country, has submitted ten proposals to the government for saving the trade and business, export and import in the port city of the country amid the coronavirus pandemic.
CCCI President Mahabubul Alam sent a letter to the concerned ministries of the government in this regard on Tuesday.
The ten proposals included special facilities for clearing the import goods.
He said, "Presently, there is no facility to test the coronavirus in the event of imported goods at the Chittagong Port. As a result, huge essentials are yet to be cleared for lack of the said test. I request the government and Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) to ensure the test here now."
Mr Alam proposed exemption of the port charge for the imported goods as the importers cannot get delivery of the goods due to the coronavirus fear now. He also sought exemption of off-dock charge, shipping agent fare, etc for the imported goods.
He proposed extension of time to pay the power, gas and water bills till June in the current year. He also sought exemption of VAT for the current year.
The CCCI President proposed rescheduling term loans and instalments and also exemption of interest for 90 days.
He also proposed waiver of all power, gas and water bills for one month.
Mahabubul Alam said the government should take steps against the price hike and manipulated crisis.
He further proposed considering the banks interest now as there is no cash flow.
He said, "Exporters, importers and businessmen are facing a crisis now. Maximum orders of garment factories are cancelled or the supplies missed the deadlines. Besides, industries and traders are in grave crisis as the country and almost the whole world are locked down now. So, I request the Prime Minister and concerned ministries to consider the 10-point proposals in the interest of exporters and importers as well as the businessmen of the country.
