Business leaders warn 41% Ctg port tariff hike to hit consumers, hurt competitiveness
Any increase will ultimately come from people’s pockets, not businesses, they say
Business leaders in Chattogram have raised concerns over the recently announced 41% tariff hike at Chattogram Port, warning that arbitrary increases could burden consumers and erode Bangladesh's global trade competitiveness.
Speaking at a coordination meeting held today (12 October) at Radisson Blu Chattogram under the banner of "Business Leaders of Chattogram," former Chittagong Chamber president Amir Humayun Mahmud Chowdhury said the port cannot impose such steep increases without consulting all stakeholders.
"Any increase will ultimately come from people's pockets, not businesses. While the port should make reasonable profits for expansion, a 41% hike is excessive," he said.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Other business leaders echoed the concern. SeaCom Group Managing Director Mohammad Amirul Haque noted that higher tariffs ultimately affect the public, not the business community, and criticised the lack of private-sector representation in port management.
BGMEA First Vice President Selim Rahman stressed that tariff hikes must reflect actual costs, warning that Bangladesh's logistics costs are already higher than in countries like Vietnam, India, and Malaysia.
Metropolitan Chamber Vice President A M Mahbub Chowdhury highlighted the stakes for international trade, noting that the US has already imposed a 20% duty on apparel exports.
"Add a 41% port tariff hike, and we can't compete globally. The port, built with public funds, must serve public interests," he said. Quoting the Economic Relations Division, he added that exporting a container from Chattogram costs $400, compared with $200 from India or Vietnam.
Shipping Agents Association Director Khairul Alam Sujon said the shipping community had proposed a 10% increase at most. He also noted that claims that the last tariff adjustment was in 1986 were misleading, as dollar-denominated port charges have quadrupled since then.
BEPZA Senior Vice President Syed Mohammad Tanvir criticised unilateral policy decisions, and C&F Agents Association President S M Saiful Alam called for unity among trade bodies to resist unreasonable measures.
Amid these warnings, Chattogram Port authorities announced the 41% tariff hike, citing the need to expand capacity and increase profitability. The move has sparked widespread concern among exporters and business leaders, who fear the hike will ultimately be passed on to consumers and further increase costs for trade-dependent industries.
Asian Group Managing Director M A Salam acknowledged the port's operational efficiency but stressed that tariff hikes must not compromise Bangladesh's competitiveness in global trade.
Business leaders emphasised the urgent need for a consultative and structured approach to revising port tariffs to ensure Chattogram Port operates efficiently while protecting the interests of businesses, exporters, and the broader public.
