BGMEA calls for releasing imports directly from port

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) yesterday requested the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) to allow the release of imported goods directly from the port instead of private inland container depots (ICDs) to save time and cost.

BGMEA President Faruque Hassan made the plea during a meeting with M Shahjahan, chairman of the CPA, in Chattogram, according to a statement from the BGMEA.

Currently it takes around six to seven days to take delivery of imported consignments from the private ICDs compared to only two days from the port, which increases the cost of releasing goods, Hassan said.

"Moreover, the private ICD operators are charging higher fees and taking more time than the port for releasing goods," he said, adding that additional delays and charges are impacting the apparel industry at a time when the sector is struggling to recover from the shocks created by the pandemic.

The BGMEA president is hopeful that garment exports would increase in the coming months and urged the port authority to plan ahead and take steps accordingly to enhance the capacity and efficiency of the port so that they can handle the increased pressure of export-import smoothly.

At the meeting, BGMEA First Vice President Syed Nazrul Islam urged the CPA to make export-import activities quicker and timely to retain the competitiveness of Bangladesh's apparel industry in the global market during this difficult time. Shahjahan in his speech said the apparel industry has been making an enormous contribution to the economic development of Bangladesh.

He said the CPA is carrying out export-import activities quickly and efficiently despite having different limitations.

He also presented the CPA's plans and initiatives for infrastructural development and increasing efficiency of the port. Yesterday's meeting with the CPA was a part of BGMEA's continuous efforts to ensure smooth flow of export-import shipment.

Earlier, BGMEA held several meetings with stakeholders, including main-line operator and buyers' representatives in this regard. After the meeting, Hassan along with the CPA chairman, the BGMEA leaders and other high officials took a tour of the port to see port operations.