Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury spoke to reporters after joining a joint meeting with Chattogram customs and port officials. Photo: BSS

   CHATTOGRAM, Aug 11, 2026 (BSS) - Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury today said the government steps were underway to stabilize the fragile economy and put it on a path of growth.

   “The main goals (of the steps) are to revive the economy, create jobs, boost exports and industrialization and ensure a safe business-friendly environment,” he told reporters after joining a joint meeting with Chattogram customs and port officials this afternoon. 

  Khasru said the national revenue board (NBR) and Chattogram Port authorities jointly identified every problem of the port and “final decisions have been taken on how to resolve them, and set deadlines for implementation”. 

   He said the NBR, customs and the port authorities were always expected to work together but for the first time they set an example of effectively joining their hands.

   The minister expressed hope that if the decisions could be implemented with determination, the time currently being required for cargo clearance and exports would come down dramatically and transparency and efficiency in operations would increase.

   He said unethical business under patronage of influential quarters would no longer be allowed to continue and officials found to be involved in any such activity would face punitive actions.

   Responding to a question of stacked containers and illegal goods clearance, the minister said detailed discussions were held to resolve the issue and works.

   He further said that a person's identity or influence would have no bearing on cargo clearance or business activities adding “there would be no scope for preferential treatment or patronage for anyone”.

   Khasru appreciated Asian Development Bank (ADB) role to support the development of the port noting that its vice president came to Chattogram from the Philippines to talk to stakeholders.

   “This means they have a huge plan for Chattogram. They want to see Chattogram not merely as a logistics hub, but as a pioneer of the overall development of Bangladesh in the days ahead,” he said.