Mongla: National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Md. Abdur Rahman Khan today advocated for increasing the use and operations of Mongla Port to avail more benefits. 'If the use of Mongla Port can be increased, then congestion in Chittagong (Port) will be reduced, activities will increase, costs will be reduced and the people will be more benefitted,' he said.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Rahman made these remarks during a view-exchange meeting with journalists at the Sundarbans Conference Room of Mongla Customs House. Upon his arrival at Mongla Port, he held meetings with customs officials and C and F agents, following a visit to the Mongla Port Jetty.
Rahman highlighted that the government and NBR had been occupied with budget preparations over the past three months. He emphasized the need to understand field-level issues, particularly those affecting Mongla Port, to assess the current workload and capacity for increased operations.
The NBR Chairman expressed interest in identifying problems faced by port users and enhancing port usage to implement necessary measures. His visit aimed to facilitate stakeholders at the port, encouraging businessmen to utilize the operational capacity of Mongla Customs House.
Rahman pointed out the low usage of Mongla Port compared to the busier Chittagong Port. He reiterated that increasing Mongla Port's operations could alleviate congestion at Chittagong, enhance operational activities, lower costs, and benefit the public.
He noted that most imported vehicles arrive at Mongla Port and mentioned ongoing discussions with vehicle traders about increasing imports through the port. Rahman assured that the necessary services would be available for businessmen to benefit from increased port usage.
Present at the meeting were NBR Member (Customs Policy and ICT) Muhammad Mubinul Kabir, Member (Customs and VAT Administration) Md. Moazzem Hossain, Mongla Customs House Commissioner Md. Shafiuzzaman, Khulna Customs, Excise and VAT Commissionerate Commissioner, and Mongla Port C and F Association President Md. Mosharraf Hossain, among others.