Bangladesh News

Limited operations resumed at the Chittagong Port yesterday after two days’ complete inactivity.
The business community and exporters are still worried as operations at the port could not be resumed fully and operations in other ports remained suspended.

In separate statements, a number of business organisations yesterday expressed their concerns over the closure of ports due to the existing political impasse and called upon political leaders to solve the crisis.

According to sources, full operation of the Chittagong port could not be achieved as the delivery of goods in and out of the port yard remained suspended due to railway and port blockade enforced by the 14-party alliance.

The port workers resumed work and started loading and unloading of goods to clear the vessels, which were already at the jetty. But the activities may not continue for much long as export items are not reaching the port yard and unloaded imported goods are cramming the yard, according to sources.

The decision of resuming work at the port was taken with the consent of Chittagong City Mayor Mohiuddin Chowdhury after considering the situation that arose due to the closure of the seaport, according to sources.

Dozens of ships which have been waiting at the outer anchorage are unlikely to be allowed to berth and unload goods until and unless full-scale business activities resume with starting of the delivery of export import items from the port yard, the sources added.

Business activities at the Chittagong Port came to a standstill on Sunday afternoon as the port workers loyal to 14-party alliance stopped working and allegedly forced others to do so.

The 14-party workers also laid blockade around the port and prevented any trucks from entering or exiting the port yard.

The operations at Mongla Port and all land ports, however, remained suspended.

Import and export through Hili, Biral and Banglabandha land ports remained suspended due to continuous railway, road and port blockade programme of the 14-party alliance, according to Clearing & Forwarding agents and customs officials, our Dinajpur correspondent reports.

The three land ports in greater Dinajpur looked deserted while at least 200 tracks laden with perishable items were seen stranded on both sides of the port.

Immigration activities remained suspended for the last three days. Immigration sources said most of the incoming passengers to Hili port were stranded at the port and are facing untold sufferings.

The 14-party also held a rally at Hili port area. The operations at other lands including Benapole, Akhaura also remained suspended, according to sources.

Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BKMEA) yesterday expressed their concerns over the existing political impasses.

“The international buyers are very worried during this peak order placing season and a number of them expressed their reluctance to place fresh orders,” a press release issued by the organisation said.

It said the knitting factory owners could not ship their products as per the schedule time due to the stalemate at Chittagong Port.

The situation is seriously hampering the image of the country abroad, which is not helpful for the economic growth of the country, they said.

The BKMEA urged the caretaker government, all political parties and the civil society to work together in order to solve the political crisis.

Bangladesh Jute Spinners Association (BJSA) leaders yesterday urged the caretaker government and all political parties to resolve the existing political crisis immediately.

“If the current political situation continued for long, it will seriously hamper the overall economy of the country,” a press release issued by the organisation said.

It said the production at 51 jute-yarn factories would be suspended as the diesel stock for running generators and spinners are almost finished.

The cent percent export oriented industry is at risk of closer due to the blockade programme which ultimately will help divert the market to the competing countries like India, the release said.

The release, signed by its Chairman Shabbir Yusuf, said the country exports Tk 1,100 crore worth of jute-yarn and more than 45,000 employees work directly in this sector.