Padma Bridge opens up huge trade potential for Shariatpur

The opening of the Padma Bridge holds massive trade potential for Shariatpur as many investors are coming here to invest in agriculture, fishery, livestock, cold storage, leather, tourism, and weaving, Shariatpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry President AKM Ismail Haq told The Business Post’s Rafikul Islam in an exclusive interview

How will the Padma Bridge benefit trade in Shariatpur?

Shariatpur sees a lot of farming. Different types of vegetables, such as tomato, potato, and onion, are cultivated here. The farmers in the district would not get fair prices of their products due to a lack of an easy communication system with the capital.

But many big investors are now coming here. Finished leather manufacturer and exporter Bay Group is setting up a leather processing unit in Zajira.

Sikder Group has undertaken a project to set up cold storage in the district. Besides, various small and medium industries are also being built here.

The opening of the Padma Bridge holds massive trade potential for Shariatpur. The potential will increase further if the tunnel between Shariatpur and Chandpur under the Meghna River is completed, which will also connect Chattogram.

Do you see any growth in the real estate sector in Shariatpur?

With the expansion of roads and other construction projects, trade in rod, cement, tile, hardware, and wooden furniture has gained momentum. Land prices, particularly in Zajira and Shariatpur Sadar, jumped over the last several years. The demand is so high that businesses are not getting vacant land to set up factories.

Per kora land [216 square feet = 1 kora] is now sold at Tk 4-5 lakh, which was Tk 20,000-50,000 several years ago based on its location. A four-lane road from the Padma Bridge toll station to Shariatpur Sadar is being built, causing adjacent land prices to increase day by day.

Many migrants originally from Shariatpur are also investing in the housing sector. Different initiatives of the government, such as the Sheikh Hasina Handloom Village which is under construction, and also private investment will create new jobs.

How much time will businessmen save now because of the bridge?

Earlier, there was no easy connectivity with the capital because of the Padma River. We would need five to seven hours to travel to Dhaka from Shariatpur Sadar. Many patients would die on ferries or at launch terminals.

But now we will be able to go to Dhaka within an hour and a half. I think the bridge will revolutionise the communication system with Shariatpur. It will highly contribute to the development of business and other such activities.

Tell us about the tourism sector’s potential in Shariatpur.

The potential is huge as the district is near the capital and surrounded by rivers. Many businesses are looking for land to build tourist spots and fish processing facilities in Shariatpur and Madaripur’s Shibchar. Good-quality hotels and motels will be built at the tourist spots.

Besides, a railway station is being built in Shariatpur while discussions are underway to build an airport of international standards in the region.

Do you think the bridge will hurt launch services?

Launch services will be affected as people want to travel fast. The number of launch passengers will fall. But launches will continue to carry goods. This is because vehicles running on the Padma Bridge will not be able to transport goods beyond their specified limits.

Nevertheless, passengers will travel via launches if modern vessels having various facilities can be introduced on river routes.

What are your investment plans?

As I have been doing transport business for a long time in Dhaka, I will introduce luxurious bus services on the Dhaka-Shariatpur route soon. I am going to invest around Tk 13.5 crore to launch 30 buses on the route. I am the vice-president of the Dhaka Road Transport Owners’ Association and also the chairman of Ajmeri Glory Limited.