Govt takes initiative to make ‘National Maritime Port Strategy’

Shipping Adviser Brig Gen (Retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hussain has said the government has taken an initiative to formulate ‘National Maritime Port Strategy (NMPS)’ for an effective and sustainable port management.

Sakhawat Hussain, also adviser of the Ministry of Textiles and Jute, said this at a review meeting  on the progress of the activities of Chattogram Port Authority, Mongla Port Authority, Payra Port Authority, Land Port Authority, BIWTC, BIWTA and Department of Shipping at the meeting room of the Ministry of Shipping on Wednesday.

He said, “An integrated, strong and modern port structure will be developed through this strategy paper”.
The adviser also said that maritime single window will be introduced to bring all port centric services on one platform where businesses are expected to get hassle-free service in the shortest time.

He expressed his optimism for starting a new chapter in the country's maritime sector by formulating this NMPS.

He said the maritime sector has been playing a very important role in the economic development of Bangladesh, mentioning that the port-centric business and trade, as well as import-export are contributing widely to the country's GDP.

He, however, said that unfortunately, even in the last fifty years, no integrated port management strategy paper has been formulated in Bangladesh.

BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun and Shipping Secretary (in-charge) Delwara Begum along with officials concerned were present.