The country's import-export activities and industrial factories have come to a standstill due to the student movement demanding reform of the quota and curfew imposed by the government since July 18.
Due to not being able to release the goods on time, there has been a container jam at the off docks including airports, sea ports and land ports, said Shippers Council of Bangladesh Chairman Md Rezaul Karim in a statement issued Friday.
Due to delays, importers have to pay various surcharges including additional port charges and shipping demurrage charges. Thousands of cargo trucks have been jammed in the land ports, as traders are not able to clear the goods.
This will increase the cost of goods which will be passed on to the consumer. On the other hand, exporters are facing severe financial losses as they are unable to ship the goods, the release added.
The Board of Directors of the Shippers Council expressed their concern in an emergency meeting, and strongly demanded from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to waive additional port charges, shipping demurrage/detention charges and other surcharges for one month since the blockade and curfew caused by the student movement.
The chairman praised Sheikh Hasina, saying, “In the past, various benefits including waiver of port charges, have been provided to businessmen on the instructions of the prime minister to deal with various crises including Covid.”
Also, in the meeting, the Board of Directors directed the related institutions including shipping agents, freight forwarders, clearing houses, logistics companies, customs authorities, NBR to strengthen and ensure unhindered the import-export activities from their respective positions, and to work with the assurance of providing the highest level of service.
They also drew the attention of the finance minister, civil aviation & tourism minister, and shipping state minister on these issues.
