BGMEA prefers Chittagong Port to ICDs for release of import consignments
Where goods can be released from the port in two days, it takes six to seven days from the private ICDs, claimed BGMEA
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) wants release of their consignments of imported goods from the Chittagong Port instead of private inland container depots (ICD).
The apparel organisation made the request to the Chittagong Port Authority chairman in a letter issued by BGMEA's First Vice President Abdus Salam on Saturday.
After the announcement of the general holidays due to the coronavirus situation, transport crisis and limited activities of the custom house caused terrible container congestion in the port.
To overcome this crisis, the National Board of Revenue issued an advisory on April 23 and directed transfer of consignments of all products including the fixed 38 ones to the country's 19 private ICDs from April 24 to June 30.
However, the BGMEA letter read that they were complying with the order but mentioned that there were allegations that the release of goods was being delayed due to shortage of space, equipment and labour in the ICDs.
Where goods can be released from the port in two days, it takes six to seven days from the private ICDs, it added.
Moreover, the charge of private ICDs is much higher than that of the port. In the current crisis, it is not possible to release goods from the ICDs by paying extra charges. As a result, the companies concerned are losing their ability to export, the letter said.
As a result, BGMEA requested the port chairman to take necessary steps to release the imported consignments of garment industry from the port instead of the private ICDs.
Chittagong Port Authority Secretary Omar Farooq told The Business Standard that he would find out about BGMEA's letter during office hours on Sunday and then the next task would be decided accordingly.
