Dhaka: Shipping Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hossain today 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 the 24th founding anniversary of Bangladesh Land Port Authority at its head office here this morning.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the country needs to attach importance to port management for the interest of the country. The adviser emphasized the need for strategic initiatives to reduce the trade deficit, highlighting the significant trade imbalance in the import-export sectors. He also pointed out that the security of the country is directly connected with the land ports, as they are situated in bordering areas with neighboring countries.
The adviser further remarked on the past lack of geo-political awareness, which led to the establishment of many land ports without appropriate feasibility studies. He stressed the need for caution in future installations of new land ports, considering national interest. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of enhancing security measures at the ports to improve port management.
Senior secretary of the shipping ministry, Mohammad Yousuf, also participated in the discussion, emphasizing the timely implementation of projects for modernizing the land ports. He praised the infrastructural development and management of Benapole and Bhomra land ports and urged officials and employees to work in a united manner.
In his concluding speech, Bangladesh Land Port Authority Chairman Mohammad Manjarul Mannan highlighted the need for launching one-stop services to enhance port management capacity. He also suggested that port officials consider diversifying export commodities to reduce the trade deficit in import-export activities.
Manjarul further recommended that the National Board of Revenue (NBR) approve more commodity import-export activities through the land ports, similar to sea ports. The event was attended by 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.