Business leaders in Chattogram have issued a seven-day ultimatum to the government, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the recent port tariff hike that came into effect on October 15.
Speaking at a protest meeting held at a community centre in the port city, Amir Humayun Mahmud Chowdhury, President of the Chattogram Port Users Forum, warned that if the government fails to revise the new rates, businesses would launch a strong protest, including the possible shutdown of port operations.
The meeting, organized by the forum, brought together representatives from various trade and shipping associations who voiced strong opposition to the Chittagong Port Authority’s (CPA) decision to raise service charges.
According to port officials, the revised tariff reflects an average increase of 41%. However, business leaders claim that some specific charges have been raised by an even higher margin, significantly increasing operational costs for port users.
In response, Chowdhury announced that clearing and forwarding (C&F) agents will begin a four-hour daily work abstention starting tomorrow, while two other trade associations are expected to join the protest in solidarity.
The business community urged the CPA and the Ministry of Shipping to review and rationalize the tariff structure immediately to avoid disruption in the country’s key maritime trade gateway.
