Amir Humayun Mahmud to lead Chattogram Port Users Forum

Amir Humayun Mahmud Chowdhury, former president of the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), has been selected as the chairman of the Chattogram Port Users Forum.

The forum has resumed its activities after years of inactivity, with its chairman elected at a meeting held at the CCCI conference hall today, said a press release issued by the CCCI.

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The first meeting of the forum, a platform comprising representatives of 12 business organisations, including the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) and CCCI, was held with CCCI President Mohammed Amirul Haque in the chair, said the release.

Speaking at the meeting, Chamber President Amirul said the forum would work to position Chattogram as a regional logistics and investment hub by addressing problems related to the port, customs and other government agencies.

He said businesses would remain united through the platform to reduce the cost of doing business and improve the ease of doing business.

Amirul also said local businesses should be given priority in sectors where they already have the capacity, while foreign investment could be encouraged through joint partnerships in areas where local capabilities remain limited.

He further said local businesses that have been engaged in port operations for a long time should be given opportunities in port-related privatisation initiatives.

Representatives from shipping, logistics, customs, lighterage, cargo vessel owners, ship agents, off-dock operators and apparel industry organisations attended the meeting.

The forum aims to strengthen coordination among port-related business organisations.

Addressing the meeting, the forum’s new chairman said it would operate as a federal platform under the chamber, where member organisations could resolve inter-organisational issues through dialogue and jointly engage with the government on matters affecting port users.

He urged each member organisation to nominate two representatives so that the committee could be formed soon.