Like every year, normal activities of Chattogram Port and Customs will continue during the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays.
The respective authorities have issued special instructions so that there is no disruption in the import-export trade of the country.
92 percent of the country's import-export trade is conducted through Chattogram Port.
The Chattogram Customs House collects customs duties on goods released at the Port, and goods arriving at Chattogram Airport. Public and private institutions of the country will be on holiday next week. Shab-e-Qadr, Eid-ul-Fitr and Bengali New Year holidays will be combined with weekend holidays.
Garment companies stay on these holidays. However, it has been decided to continue the activities of Chattogram port and customs to keep the country's import-export activities active during this holiday.
The officials of the Port and Customs House gave this information on Tuesday.
Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) Secretary Md. Omar Faruq said, 'The operational activities of the Port will be fully operational this Eid holiday. There is normally no work pressure even though container handling and delivery operations are closed for eight hours only on Eid morning shift. This will not cause any problem in port operations.
Shipping activities will continue at the jetty on the morning of Eid. Product delivery can be taken if desired. A letter has been sent to the stakeholders to ensure that container delivery is normal during the Eid holidays.
Khairul Alam Sujan, vice president of Bangladesh Freight Forwarders Association (BAFFA), said, "This time there is a risk of great pressure due to the Eid holidays. There is no pressure on the delivery of import goods during the Eid holidays, but there is pressure on the depots due to the excess of export goods. That's why it's normal after the Eid holiday. So we don't have a place of comfort during Eid. Most of the workers go home on vacation. Past experience shows that even if the operations of the port are fully operational, there are problems in the customs.
Revenue officials are available for imports, but problems are faced for exports. However, the Chattogram customs authority has taken the initiative to continue operations during the Eid holidays, especially in the export sector.
Customs House Additional Commissioner Md. Mushfiqur Rahman said, 'Customs House activities will continue under the supervision of six Deputy Commissioners and one Assistant Commissioner. Officers belonging to other religions have been given the duty during the holidays.
The Custom House has taken pre-arrangements so that customs clearance of import and export goods is not obstructed in any way.
General Secretary of Chattogram Customs C&F Agent Association, Kazi Mahmud Imam Bilu said that a letter has been given from NBR, in which customs import-export activities can continue on a limited scale. Customs House authorities have taken necessary measures to keep the import-export activities uninterrupted during the Eid holidays like every year. But the customs related banks, shipping agents, freight forwarders and other institutions are closed for Eid so the product delivery activities are not done. At the same time, a large number of workers are on Eid holidays.
Bangladesh Inland Container Depot Association (BICDA), General Secretary of ICD owners' organisation Ruhul Amin Shikder said, "We have informed all stakeholders of ICD including exporters, importers, shipping lines, freight forwarders, C&F agents. Every year the season will continue as it has. BGMEA has sent a letter, asking to continue the normal activities of pre-Eid and post-Eid closures. We do not have any restrictions on export products as notified by the Ministry of Bridges. Normal activities will continue before and after Eid. Like every year the Port has an annual consultation with stakeholders. Like every year, Chattogram port wants normal operations to continue on Eid day.
On the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, the operational activities of private ICDs in Chattogram will be closed for 34 hours. If Eid falls on April 11, activities will be closed on the previous day, April 10 from 12 pm to April 12, 10 am.