Roads, Railways and Shipping Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam. File photo
Minister for Roads, Railways and Shipping Sheikh Rabiul Alam has said that a port management strategy must be formulated with the larger interests and progress of the nation in mind. He also emphasized the need to increase coordination between ministries and agencies concerned in port management.
The minister made these remarks while addressing a seminar organized at a hotel in the capital on Sunday (October 11).
He said that it was necessary to formulate a comprehensive strategy for managing the country’s ports much earlier. Such a plan should prioritize the larger interests and progress of the nation, not the vested interests of any individual or institution.
Sheikh Rabiul Alam said, “Sometimes there is a tendency to establish authority among various government departments and organizations. Since multiple ministries and organizations are involved in port management, lack of coordination among them can increase complexity. Therefore, initiatives should be taken to make the country’s ports more business-friendly through mutual cooperation.”
Calling for consideration of the interests of workers and locals in port-centric development,
State Minister for Shipping Rajib Ahsan said that effective port-related research and planning have been needed for a long time to transform the century-old port tradition into a sustainable economic structure and ensure a better future for those involved in this sector.
He said, “Apart from infrastructural limitations, there is also a reluctance among a section of society to adapt to new initiatives or changes. These obstacles must be overcome and integrated solutions to existing problems must be found.”
The State Minister also said that the port-centric development plan should give importance to the facilities of workers and local people. The world’s top five international companies operate about 80 percent of container terminals. Of these, three companies are joining hands with Bangladesh, he said.
Referring to Bangladesh’s long-standing friendly relations with Japan, Rajib Ahsan said that Japan has been by Bangladesh’s side for a long time without trying to exert political dominance.
Urgent call for building efficient ports and logistics systems
Takashi Junko, Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Bangladesh Office, said, “As Bangladesh is on the path to graduating from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category, it is important to keep pace with the global economic situation. It is essential to build efficient ports and logistics systems to maintain international competitiveness, attract investment, and become more closely integrated with the global supply chain.”
He said the National Port Strategy will serve as an integrated framework for the development of the entire port sector, including the country’s seaports, river ports, and land ports.
Takashahi Junko said that the strategy has been formulated under JICA’s technical cooperation project and the Matarbari Port Operation, Maintenance and Management Capacity Building Initiative. JICA’s expert team, the Ministry of Shipping and related agencies have worked closely on this work.
Noting that the demand for international cargo transportation will increase in the future, he said that meeting this demand will not only require increasing the capacity of the port. It will also require hiring skilled operators, developing strategic communication systems, increasing the use of digital technology, and strengthening cooperation between port authorities, government agencies, and the private sector.