Ameer Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, the Finance and Planning Minister of Bangladesh, has directed that imported raw materials and goods be cleared through customs within four days. The instruction was issued on Friday (20 February) during a meeting with the Chattogram Port Users Forum at his residence in Mehedibag, Chattogram.
Speaking at the meeting, he said that several issues were resolved with the stakeholders, while a few problems requiring inter-ministerial decisions may take a few days. Once addressed, port operations will speed up, ensuring faster cargo clearance and reduced costs.
He also expressed concern over long-standing inoperative scanning machines at the country’s main seaport, instructing port and customs officials to bring these crucial devices back into service immediately. “How can such important equipment remain non-functional day after day? Such negligence will not be tolerated,” he said. The malfunctioning scanning machines are a major reason for cargo congestion and slow supply.
This visit marked Minister Chowdhury’s first trip to Chattogram as Finance and Planning Minister under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s new government. The meeting was attended by Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain, Chattogram Custom House Commissioner Shafiuddin, Additional Commissioner Tafsir Uddin Bhuiyan, Chattogram Port Authority member (Harbour & Marine) Commodore Ahmed Amin Abdullah, and other business leaders from port stakeholder organizations.
The minister emphasized that swift action on customs clearance and operational scanning equipment will enhance port efficiency and reduce overall costs for importers.
