Photo : Collected

DHAKA, Sept 22, 2025 (BSS) - Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman, Chairman of Chittagong Port Authority, today said that with over half the population under 27 and actively seeking employment, Bangladesh must prioritize capacity building, policy consistency, and global collaboration.

“This will ensure that green port development not only meets carbon goals but also positions the country to be trade-ready by 2030,” he said.

The CPA Chairman said this at a breakfast meeting of the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) held today at a hotel in the capital.

Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman, Chairman, Chittagong Port Authority, and Philip Grove, Director of Business Development, Ellicott Dredge Enterprises, LLC graced the program as guest speakers. The AmCham Dialogue was supported by UPS Bangladesh, said a press release.

Rear Admiral S M Moniruzzaman highlighted Bangladesh’s fast-paced port modernization, with Chittagong handling over 96% of trade and 98% of containers. “To reduce overdependence, a JICA-backed national port policy is due by year-end, alongside digital upgrades like e-gates, real-time tracking, and a unique application,”

He said strategic projects and partnerships with global operators (TSC, B2W, Maersk, MSC) are underway.

In the end, Al-Mamun M Rashel, Treasurer, AmCham Bangladesh offered a vote of thanks.

Phillip Grove, Director of Business Development at Ellicott Dredge Enterprises, LLC, thanked AmCham Bangladesh, the U.S. Embassy, and the partner for hosting the event. 

Reflecting on his 16-year engagement with Bangladesh, he emphasized the growing US-Bangladesh trade partnership and the importance of visibility in logistics, cargo tracking, logistics cost, and data in real time. 

He highlighted the role of modern, cloud-based and AI-driven technologies in improving logistics efficiency and expressed interest in connecting Bangladeshi stakeholders with US solution providers.

In his opening remarks, Syed Ershad Ahmed, President of AmCham Bangladesh, emphasized the importance of the logistics sector, which employs around 7 million people and contributes around 20 percent to GDP. 

Despite its scale, the sector remains underdeveloped and requires coordination. Bangladesh ranks low on global indices, with average scores in customs clearance and infrastructure, he added. 

Ershad said a logistics policy drafted in 2024 is yet to be implemented calling for stakeholder alignment, logistics strategy, and policy to improve competitiveness and unlock the sector’s full potential.

Following the remarks by Phillip Grove, stakeholders engaged in a focused dialogue moderated by AmCham Executive Director Chowdhury Kaiser Mohammad Riyadh. 

The discussion centred on enhancing US export potentials through improved port and logistics management, expanding investment opportunities in the sector, strengthening the business climate for existing U.S. investors, and addressing key challenges and opportunities within Bangladesh’s port and logistics landscape.

Captain Sohail Hasan, Managing Director and CEO of Western Marine Shipyard; Engr. Harun-Ur-Rashid, CEO & Country Head of Mediterranean Shipping Company Bangladesh Ltd.; Yasser Rizvi, Additional Managing Director of Summit Alliance Port Limited and representative of BICDA; Kabir Ahmed, Chairman & CEO of Conveyor Logistics Ltd.; and former President of the Bangladesh Freight Forwarders Association; Syed Mohammad Arif, Chairman of the Bangladesh Shipping Agents’ Association; Mohiuddin Abdul Kadir, President, CILT Bangladesh, and Maritime Law Expert; and Syed Mohammad Tarique, Head of Customer Relations, RSGT Bangladesh and international port operator, shared their valuable insights and suggestions to help drive progress in the sector.