Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last week , in parliament unveiled her government’s massive plans to develop and modernise all sea, river and land ports of the country in addition to setting up a deep-sea port to boost Bangladesh’s economy.

She said Chittagong and Mongla ports will be prepared for the use of neighbouring countries by implementing various plans including construction of new container terminal, purchasing modern equipment for the two ports and carrying out capital dredging from Sadarghat to the third Karnaphuli Bridge.

The government also plans to construct new river ports at Noapara, Bhairab-Ashuganj and Barguna and a new inland container terminal at Pangaon. Besides, land ports at Teknaf, Hili, Banglabandha and Bibirbazar will be made operative after development work, Hasina said in her scripted answer to a query.

“Only 40 percent capacity of Chittagong port and 10 percent of Mongla port is being currently used. Revenue earning will be more than double when the usage is increased,” she said, adding that the earning will be increased further when neighbouring countries will be allowed to use the two seaports. This will also generate new employment opportunities.

On setting up a deep-sea port at Sonadia Island, Hasina said in light of a cabinet decision work is on to prepare detailed design of the port and explore foreign fund.

The premier said her government plans to introduce computerised container terminal management system at Chittagong Port, construct backward linkage at terminals 4 and 5 at New Mooring container terminal, appoint private global operator for running the terminal.

She said two vessels, one for oily waste reception and another for solid waste, will be purchased to improve environment management of Chittagong Port.

“Radiation detection equipment will be installed at Chittagong Port under the US Megaports Initiative to prevent smuggling of nuclear and radioactive goods through global maritime system,” the premier said.

The Karnaphuli container terminal will be constructed replacing expired jetties 11-13 at Chittagong Port. A multi-storey car-parking shed will be built at the port, she said.

Hasina said the government has planned for bank protection and capital dredging from Sadarghat to the third Karanphuli Bridge to protect important establishments at Chittagong Port from possible risk, and ensure discipline berthing of ships and navigability in Karanphuli channel.

On the development of Mongla Port, Hasina said her government plans to collect cargo handling equipment, cutter suction dredger, dispatch boat, and carry out dredging at outer bar of the Pashur channel and harbour area of the port.

She said activities of Benapole land port will be brought under automation to bring dynamism and transparency in its functions. The port will also have its own cargo handling equipment. Besides, a project to modernise the port will be implemented in two phases, she said.

The premier said Bhomra land port and Barisal river port will also be developed.

Besides, railway network will be set up across the country as well as the network from Dhaka to Cox’s Bazar will be expanded.

Hasina said the number of lanes on Dhaka-Chittagong Highway will be increased to six in phases as the process for upgrading the highway into a four-lane one has begun.

Bangladesh: Chittagong and Mongla port prepared for use by neighbours, deep-sea port to be constructed

Commerce Minister Faruk Khan said yesterday that if Chittagong seaport has the capacity to take the load, there should not be any problem with India using it for trade transaction.

Faruk, who came here to inaugurate a function on Bangladesh’s brick export to Tripura at Akhaura border check-post complex, told reporters that the issue of transit to India could be resolved through bilateral discussion.

“The day is not far off when you will be able to use Chittagong port as your port,” he told a correspondent from Tripura, giving a clear hint at positively considering by the present government the longstanding Indian plea for the port use.

“In this globalised world, one will not call it my port or your port. It is our port,” the commerce minister categorically said.

He hoped that the export of brick to Tripura would help strengthen the business relations between the two neighbouring countries.

As businessmen raised problems of infrastructure, land port and banking facilities to boost the bilateral trade, Faruk said he would take up the matters with the authorities concerned of Bangladesh.

In next six months a 16-km highway with four lanes from Akhaura border to Darkhar of Dhaka-Sylhet highway will be developed.

A Tk 116 crore project in this respect is now under consideration of the planning commission, the commerce minister said.

Faruk said Bilonia landport will be inaugurated shortly, sometime between Eid-ul-Fitr and Durga Puja.

He assured that the banking and customs problems would be taken up with the finance minister.

The minister said small bilateral problems that remain unresolved would be settled through discussions. He noted that the Bangladesh foreign minister will visit India when the issues will be discussed.

Tripura Commerce Minister Jitendra Choudhury, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty, Tripuar Chamber’s President M.L. Debnath, Tripura Chief Secretary Shudhir Sharma, India-Bangladesh chamber president Abdul Matlub Ahmed and businessmen from Bangladesh and India attended the function

Source :http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=102327

Minister for Primary and Mass Education Dr Mohammad Afsarul Amin on Friday said the economic condition of the country could be changed significantly if the operational activities of the prime seaport have been geared up and modernised properly.

He was speaking as the chief guest at an inaugural function of on-line connectivity services of state-owned Janata Bank Ltd (JBL) to various port facilities this morning. The function was held at Chittagong Port Training Institute with Chairman of the JBL Board of Directors Sohel Ahmed Chowdhury in the chair.

Mayor of Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) Alhaj ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury, Managing Director of the JBL SM Aminur Rahman, Chairman of Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) Commodore RU Ahmed and General Manager of the JBL Mohammad Golam Sarwar, among others, spoke on the occasion.

Speaking at the function, Dr Afsarul Amin said nationalised commercial banks (NCBs) were lagging behind from private banks for a long time for their poor services.

“But they (NCBs) are now able to win the hearts of their subscribers by providing improved services and introducing modern management,” the minister mentioned.

He said everyone should contribute to keep up the level of productivity of the Chittagong Port achieved in recent days. The port users could be benefited immensely through saving cost and time by taking the on-line banking services of the JBL. Dr Afsarul Amin said the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been putting relentless efforts in further improvement of the port services.

Mayor Mohiuddin said there was a considerable difference in the rate of interest and service charges between public and private sector banks in the country.

“But such differences should be addressed immediately for the sake of healthy growth of the economy as well as financial institutions,” he said.

The mayor said the money earned by the port should be spent for its development rather than transferring those for the purposes of other sectors.

He said the efforts for development of Chittagong Port should be carried out as per the CPA Act-1973.

Sohel Ahmed Chowdhury said introduction of various IT services in the JBL started after 2007 and most of its branches throughout the country to be brought under on-line facilities by next year.

Later, the minister inaugurated formally the “Bio-Diversity Preservation Fair” being held at Patenga under the auspices of the CCC.

Speaking at the inaugural function, Dr Afsarul Amin laid emphasis on preserving the bio-diversity through protecting surrounding habitats

Asian Development Bank (ADB) has suggested operating Chittagong port based on a ‘landlord’ concept in order to utilise the port facilities more efficiently, the Financial Express reported.

‘Landlord’ concept means that all port services will be managed by private firms but the infrastructure will either belong to the port authority itself or leased to any other organisation. In that case, the port authority, as owner, will receive only levies paid by the private firms. This is the most popular model in the world.

It will have direct control of all navigational matters in addition to the implementation of port health and safety, security and environmental issues.

The ADB report said the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) would be responsible for the maintenance of good relationships with all those engaged in shipping business under the concept.

It was alleged that in recent months the Chittagong port’s efficiency has declined significantly from the condition that prevailed during the caretaker government due to intervention of local politicians and labour leaders.

The manila-based lender, ADB, said the working situation in the port that existed in the port before January 2007 and the fundamental reasons that promoted that situation, must not be allowed to return.

About cChittagong Port

The political status of Chittagong during the early days is rather sketchy. However, from the available records, it appears that in 151 A. D. the war Lord of Magadha named Chandra Surya occupied Chittagong and Arakan and established his Kingdom in the region and the same dynasty ruled up to 5th century A. D. In the 6th Century A. D. Chittagong was annexed by the king of Samatata and ruled by the Khargaraj dynasty for about 100 years. In the 8th century Dharmapal ruled Chittagong for a short period. In the 10th century A. D. Chittagong was annexed by Arakan kingdom. In the last part of 10th centaury, Chang Thump the king of Tripura conquered Chittagong. In the 11-12th century Chittagong was a part of Paga kingdom. King Damadar Dev ruled Chittagong during the 1st part of 13th century. From the writings of European traveller Marco Polo, it appears that in 1273 chittagong was conquered by the Tatar Khans. In the beginning of 14th century A. D. Chittagong was again annexed by Arakan kingdom. In 1340 Fakharuddin Mubarak Shah, the ruler of Sonargaon conquered Chittagong.

From that time up to the emergence of the Pathan rule in the 16th century but with certain brief intervals, Chittagong was ruled by the sultans of Gour. During the year 1538-39 Sher Shah’s General Noazish occupied Chittagong and till 1580 it was ruled by the Afgans. Though the Afghans left Bengal in 1575, Jamal Khan panni ruled Chittagong up to 1580. In 1580 she was re-captured by the Arakans and remained under the occupation till 1665, when Moghul General Shaestha Khan expelled Arakanese from Chittagong and the area from the south of the Feni river to the south of Shankha river was under the occupation of Moghuls. In 1756 Moghul General Adhu Khan of Dohazari Fort occupied the southern part of the river Shankha upto the north of Naf river from the Arakans.

In 1760 the Nawab of Bengal Mir Kashem gave away the ruler ship of this region to the East India Company through a mandate. From that time Chittagong was a part of India under the British rule till the partition of India. In 1971, the then East Pakistan emerged as an independent country known as Bangladesh and Chittagong became the major port of the country.

See more about Chittagong port:

http://www.cpa.gov.bd/

Security is the most vital part of the national sound progress. So to continue a smooth development and peace the security innitiatives are upgrading ;With cooperation of US  Bangladesh is install radiation detection equipment in Bangladesh’s main port at Chittagong.

Under this system  the port authority will be able to scan shipping containers for nuclear or radiological materials to strengthen the port’s global supply chain security.

Under the new arrangement, ‘radiation detection equipment’ will thoroughly scan all the shipping containers, both incoming and outgoing, before allowing those to depart for global markets especially in the United States or entering the Bangladesh market. Initial works have already begun to install the ‘radiation detection equipment’ inside the port with the fullest financial and technological support from the US government.