Experts at a discussion yesterday suggested infrastructural development and technical modernisation of Banglabandha land port in Panchagarh for large scale expansion of Bangladesh’s trade with Nepal and India, reports UNB. Unnayan Shamannay in collaboration with Consumer Unity and Trust Society (CUTS International) and Asia Foundation organised the discussion, titled ‘Trade Consignment Mapping for Better Regional Connectivity in South Asia’, at its office in the capital.
Former commerce secretary Sohel Ahmed Chowdhury, Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) adviser Manzur Ahmed and Bangladesh Land Port Authority Secretary Habibur Rahman, among others, spoke at the meeting. Enamul Haque of East-West University presided over the programme.
FBCCI adviser Manzur Ahmed said the country’s trade flow through Banglabandha land port is still low although the port is important in the perspective of political economy.
“The port now faces various problems, including lack of technically skilled manpower, which causes delay in transit and transshipment,” he said.
Sohel Ahmed Chowdhury said development of the port’s infrastructures will improve gradually if the trade flow through Banglabandha increases.
The port has huge potentials of trade with north India and Nepal, he added.
Economist Mahfuz Kabir, CUTS International consultant Prithviraj Nath and Truck-Covered Van Owners Association general secretary Rustam Ali also spoke on the programme.
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