Due to the negative impact on the import and export trade caused by the global crisis including the Ukraine-Russia war, the income of Chattogram Port and Customs has been feared to decrease. The number of ships is also decreasing due to decrease in cargo transportation. Due to this, the port’s income from various sectors including ship handling is less than expected. The decrease in revenue is likely to have a negative impact on the overall economy of the country.2 lakh 63 thousand 934 TEUS containers were handled through Chattogram Port in July 2022. In July this year, this number stood at 2 lakh 77 thousand 161 TEUS. In July 2023, container handling of import cargo decreased by 212 TEUS compared to July 2022. Container handling of export goods decreased by 10 thousand 532 TEUS. On the other hand, June is in July this year Cargo import container handling increased by 9,630 TEUS over the month. The number of ships in Chattogram Port has also decreased compared to normal times. Due to this, several jetties in the port remain empty day after day. The port authority earns an average of 8 to 10 lakhs of foreign exchange from each ship handling. Due to decrease in the number of ships, this income of the port is decreasing.Almost all of the import trade is dominated by consumer goods and essential goods. Imports of high-duty luxury goods, including cars, have fallen sharply. Due to this, the income of Chattogram Customs has started to decrease. One fifth of the country’s total customs duty is collected through Chattogram Customs. But it is feared that the income of Chattogram Customs, which is facing a deficit almost every year, will decrease further. In the last financial year, Customs was given a revenue target of Tk 74 thousand 206 crore. But the customs revenue is 61 thousand 464 crores. Chattogram Port Secretary Mohammad Omar Farooq said that the number of ships in the port is decreasing slightly. But now there is no situation to be disappointed about the matter. Counting the number of ships is useless if the year is not over. In any month the ship will increase, the income will increase. It will decrease again in any month. These are normal. He said, the shape of the ship has become bigger than before. Big ships are coming to Chattogram port. We encourage larger ships. So the number of ships is decreasing but the quantity of products is increasing.
