Ctg businesses threaten protest, slam changes in issuing import permits

Businesses in the Chattogram region have urged the government to postpone the operations of axle load control on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway until the system is introduced nationwide.

The business leaders also said transferring the import permit (IP) issuing authority from Chattogram to Dhaka is nothing but conspiracy by a section of officials to cripple the region's trade and commerce.

The leaders warned they will launch protest and agitation programme if the operations of the two stations at Baro Darogahat of Sitakunda and Daudkandi of Cumilla are not postponed "at the earliest possible time."

The decision was taken at an exchange of opinion meeting at the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) in the port city.

President of the CCCI Mahbubul Alam presided over the meeting held on Wednesday evening.

It was attended by a large number of business representatives, entrepreneurs, industrialists, exporters, importers and executives of different business associations, organisations and trade bodies.

The leaders asked why the axle load control stations are on the Chattogram-Dhaka highway, but other highways in the country remain out of that restriction.

They wondered why the raids of shops and markets in the name of VAT are only in Chattogram.

All these things are happening aimed at targeting the business persons in Chattogram, they said.

This is a "conspiracy" to destroy trade and business here, the leaders said.

"Along with bureaucrats in different sections of the government, a vested interest group and gang of conspirators are out to damage industries, export-import and production in the region," the CCCI said in a statement.

The businessmen will take to the streets if these problems are not addressed and their legitimate demands are not met, the statement said.

As the meeting started, the leaders of different trade and business associations handed a memorandum on their demands to Mahbubul Alam.

Mr Alam said the contribution of Chattogram in the nation building activities is "immense and more than any other part of the country."

The CCCI is playing the role of a government policy facilitator.

Over the last 47 years, he noted, Chattogram has generated substantial employment, industrialisation and made enormous development in the private sector.

But the axle load restrictions imposed on the Chattogram-Dhaka highway have put the local businesses in an uneven competition with their counterparts elsewhere in the country, he said.

He said the Prime Minister has shouldered the responsibility of development of Chattogram.

As a result, he said, the businesses in the region are implementing projects worth Tk 1,000 billion under the government policy of creating business-friendly environment.

The meeting was addressed, among others, by CCCI vice president Syed Jamal Ahmed, C&F Agents Association president AKM Akhtar Hossain, Khatungonj Trades and Industries Association general secretary Syed Sagir Ahmed, Primemover Owners Association general secretary Abu Bakar Siddiq, Food Transport Contractors Association president Syed Mahbubul Huq, and Salt Mill Owners Association president MN Kabir.

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