Port store rent exemption only for RMG importers will create disparity in other industries: DCCI

The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) has voiced strong concern over the recent decision by the Ministry of Shipping to exempt only the ready-made garment (RMG) sector from the imposition of four-fold additional port store rent after the expiry of the storage period at Chattogram Port.

The ministry's circular, issued on 2 June, states that this exemption will apply solely to RMG importers, excluding all other sectors from the same benefit.

The DCCI believes that this move could undermine fair competition and lead to significant disparities across industries that depend on imports through the Chattogram Port.

In a statement today (4 June), DCCI President Taskeen Ahmed said, "Most of the importers of the country are using Chattogram Port for importing goods.

"Traffic congestion on the highway, inadequate infrastructure facilities at the port and delay in the unloading process at the port often causes severe traffic congestions in the port area, due to which importers of all industry sectors are facing various challenges."

He emphasised that imposing increased port storage charges without first addressing underlying logistical issues will add to the cost of doing business, making Bangladeshi industries less competitive in the global market.

"Without improving the supply chain and logistics management of Chattogram port, communication infrastructure, merely increasing store rent four-fold will enhance the cost of doing business, as well as the country will lag behind among the competing countries as far as the logistic cost is concerned," he added.

Taskeen further cautioned that extending selective benefits to a single sector could distort the overall business environment. "If special privileges are given to importers of only one sector, that will create discrimination to other sectors. And it will be considered as a hindrance in ensuring a balanced business environment in the country."

Highlighting the impact of such preferential treatment, he warned that "the importers other than the RMG sector using Chattogram Port may lag behind in the competitive business ecosystem."

The DCCI president also urged all the ports of the country to remain their export-import activities normal during the long holiday on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha and other festivals.

Meanwhile, he strongly demands the government to consider the said issue so that the importers do not need to bear the cost of delay at the time of releasing imported goods, especially during this holiday occasion.