POBNEWS24, Dhaka, June 14, 2022 : State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud
Chowdhury today said Land ports of the country are being upgraded to
international level with an aim to increasing trade and connectivity with
neighboring countries.
“The land ports are being upgraded day by day along with expanding its yard.
Two land ports have already been automated while the rest will be brought
under automation soon aiming to ensure smooth movement of goods, vehicles and
passengers”, said Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury.
The state minister was addressing a discussion marking the 21st founding
anniversary of Bangladesh Land Port Authority (BLPA) at the ballroom of Pan
Pacific Sonargaon hotel.
BLPA chairman Md Alamgir presented the keynote speech in the discussion with
the theme ‘Role of land port in promoting regional trade, connectivity and
economic development’ while Indian High Commissioner Vikram Kumar Doraiswami
spoke as special guest.
Khalid said, “We have been focusing on making sure that each product being
imported or exported can reach its destination smoothly and safely which is
the prime task of land port authorities. The land port authorities are
working relentlessly in this regard.”
Besides, Indian government and concerned authorities are coming forward with
assistance continuously, he said, adding, “To upgrade the service of Benapole
Land Port, India has been working from their side along with Bangladesh.”
He said Prime minister Sheikh Hasina first initiated the land port in 2001
aiming at facilitating trade, fostering connectivity, stimulating growth and
ensuring for smooth movement of vehicles and passengers for the country’s
economic development.
“However, it collapsed at the very beginning during the BNP-Jamaat regime.
The land ports were messed up as a number of ports were handed over to
private companies while some others were being used for smuggling and getting
illegal weapons,” he added.
After the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina came into power, the scenario started
to change rapidly like other sector of the country and the consequences is
visible, he said, adding, “Padma Bridge is a symbol of country’s development
and progress towards being Sonar Bangla as dreamt by father of the nation
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.”
Indian High Commissioner Vikram Kumar Doraiswami said without ensuring a good
logistic system, the ambition of Bangladesh, India as well as the region for
development will never be fully achieved as trade and economic activity and
even investment relied heavily on a good logistic system.
“We believe that the time is now for us to start making changes in
simplifying movement of goods and services and ensure good logistic system,”
he said adding, “The role of our land ports has been very important for the
last 21 years and in the next 21 years, it will be more important in this
way.”
Doraiswami said movement of people from two countries need to be made easier
so that people can see the benefit of next 50 years of friendship between
Bangladesh and India to create ‘Sonar Bangla’ and a more prosperous region.
Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Shipping Ministry Major
(retd) Rafiqul Islam Bir Uttam, former president of FBCCI Md Shafiul Islam,
MP, shipping secretary Md Mostafa Kamal, President of India-Bangladesh
chamber of commerce and industry Abdul Matlub Ahmed and BGMEA President
Faruque Hasan also spoke on the occasion.
