Chattogram: Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin along with Federal Commerce Minister of Pakistan Jam Kamal Khan visited Chattogram Port and expressed their satisfaction over the improvement and progress achieved by the country’s prime seaport.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Commerce Adviser and his Pakistani counterpart made the visit on Friday afternoon and witnessed extensively the overall operational activities and performance of the port. During the visit, Chairman of the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) Real Admiral S M Moniruzzaman briefed the ministers on the present state of the port, including container and cargo handling, labor management, foreign investment, and automation.
The CPA Chairman also apprised them that the port handled a record number of containers last year, reduced the waiting time of vessels to zero to two days, and significantly declined the average turnaround time of ships. The port has also achieved progress in the areas of automation and digitalization.
The Pakistan Commerce Minister expressed satisfaction over the advancement and progress of the Ctg port activities. He highlighted the engagement of reputed private port operators in Pakistan’s ports, mentioning that Hutchison Port Group, Abu Dhabi Port Authority, and DP World are involved in operations at Karachi Port Trust, a bulk terminal, and Port Qasim, respectively, under long-term contracts.
He assured efforts to enhance export-import activities and introduce direct ship movement between Bangladesh and Pakistan. The visit was also attended by Commerce and Investment Attache of Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka Zain Aziz, Commercial Officer Wakas Yasin, Additional Secretary of Commerce Ministry Dr. Naznin Kawser Chowdhury, and Director of Bay Terminal Project of Ctg Port Commodore Mahfuzur Rahman.