State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury said the government is pledged-bound to keep the operational activities of Chitagong port in the normal pace for national interest.
Khalid Mahmud told this journalists after a view-exchanging meeting with senior officials of Chattogram Port at the port building on Thursday, reports BSS.
The minister said journalists have been providing positive news regarding the port activities since March 26.
He hoped that this trend would continue in the future for the greater interest of the country.
Terming Chattogram Port as the lifeline of Bangladesh’s economy, Khalid said they are determined to carry out their duty to keep the operational activities of Chattogram port normal for greater interest of the country.
“The people of the port are discharging their respective duties risking their lives. This risk is for the next generation,” he added.
He said that Bangabandhu’s daughter Prime Minister is talking to the people of the country on Corona issue apart from talking with various international organisations around the globe.
“It is the responsibility of 16 million people of the country to carefully deal with this Corona crisis,” he added.
Emphasising on ensuring safety of the port workers, the minister assured the port authorities of providing cooperation where it is needed.
He said that port authority is sincere about the workers and they would take care of workers if they face any difficulties while working at the port.
He informed that a total of 33 ships are waiting at the outer anchorage with 36,000 containers.
Shipping Secretary Mezbahuddin Chowdhury said Chattogram port authority has been continuing their all operational activities though all activities stopped in the country after the spread of Coronavirus.
The secretary said their target is to reduce ship congregation from the port.
He announced that all importers, including BGMEA and BKMEA, have given the opportunity for exempting store rent of their containers in the port. The container ships that arrived within April 20 will enjoy the opportunity, he added.
Port Chairman Rear Admiral Sheikh Abul Kalam Azad and member of the port Zafar Alam, among others, high officials of the port were present.
