Shipping Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hossain on Monday called for infusing more dynamism and effectiveness of the land ports for the interest of the country.
“Country’s land ports are vital for the national economy”, he said.
The adviser said this at a discussion titled “Progress of the Land Port, Prosperity of the Economy” organized to mark 24th founding anniversary of Bangladesh Land Port Authority at its head office here this morning.
The country needs to attach importance on port management for the interest of the country, he said, adding that even the country would have to take necessary initiative to reduce the trade deficit as the country has huge trade deficit in import-export sectors.
The adviser said even the security of the country is also directly connected with the land ports as those are located at the bordering areas of the neighbouring countries.
“So, the government should be more strategic on land port management and taking other policy considering the interest of the country. Even the land ports should be made more dynamic and effective for economic prosperity of the country”, he added.
In past, the shipping adviser said we had lack of geo-political awareness and ability and that’s why many land ports have been set up without appropriate feasibility study.
In future, we have to be more cautious in installation of the new land ports considering the national interest, he mentioned.
He also put special emphasis on beefing up security measures at the port for developing the port management.
He also urged all port officials to work with utmost honesty and professionalism for the interest of the country.
Taking part in the discussion, senior secretary of the shipping ministry Mohammad Yousuf also emphasised on timely implementation of the project for modernizing the land ports.
Praising infrastructural development and management of Benapole and Bhomra land ports, the secretary also called upon the officials and employees of the land ports to work in united way.
In concluding speech, Bangladesh Land Port Authority Chairman Mohammd Manjarul Mannan stressed the need for launching one stop services for enhancing the management capacity of the port.
“Even the port officials will have to take diversification of the export commodities aiming at reducing trade deficit in import-export activities”, he added.
In addition to this, Manjurul said the National Board of Revenue (NBR) should consider the approval of more commodity import-export activities through the land port like sea ports.
Payra port authority chairman Rear Admiral Masud Iqbal, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) Chairman M Salim Ullah, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) chairman Commodore Arif Ahmed Mostafa and other port officials and employees were also present.
Courtesy: BSS
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
