Leaders of the country’s top business associations have urged immediate high-level government intervention to resolve the severe crisis in import–export trade caused by the ongoing continuous work stoppage and complete suspension of vessel movement at Chattogram Port. They expressed grave concern in a joint statement issued after an emergency meeting held on Thursday at the BTMA office in Gulshan, Dhaka.
In the joint statement, the presidents of the Employers’ Federation of Bangladesh (EFB), Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI), Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), Bangladesh Terry Towel & Linen Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BTTLMEA), Bangladesh Jute Goods Association (BJGA), and Bangladesh Jute Spinners Association (BJSA) said that for the first time in the history of Chattogram Port, even vessel movement has come to a complete halt.
They described the situation as a rare and extreme crisis, effectively paralyzing the country’s principal seaport—the heart of the national economy. The leaders warned that each day of port closure results in direct economic losses amounting to several thousand crore taka. With import and export activities across all sectors, including ready-made garments, at a standstill, the country is facing potentially irreparable damage.
The statement noted that raw materials for export-oriented industries are failing to reach factories on time, while finished goods are piling up at the port awaiting shipment. As a result, exporters are finding it impossible to meet delivery deadlines committed to international buyers. The leaders cautioned that if the situation persists even for a few more days, major order cancellations may occur, and foreign buyers could take the drastic decision to shift sourcing away from Bangladesh.
They further highlighted that the country’s production and export sectors are already going through an unprecedented period of stress, driven by declining global demand, rising production costs, and global geopolitical instability. Entrepreneurs are struggling to remain competitive by cutting operational costs. Against this backdrop, the port shutdown has triggered severe container congestion, leading to escalating demurrage charges, port fees, and storage rents, directly pushing up production costs. This, in turn, will increase export prices and have a long-term negative impact on Bangladesh’s foreign trade competitiveness.
On the import side, the leaders warned that additional costs will ultimately be passed on to consumers. With the holy month of Ramadan approaching, any further delay in resolving the crisis could disrupt the supply of essential imported commodities, create artificial shortages and drive prices beyond the reach of ordinary people. They cautioned that the burden of such public hardship would have to be borne collectively.
The statement also pointed out that the ongoing crisis is creating serious instability in bank loan servicing and letter-of-credit (LC) management. If shipments are delayed indefinitely, businesses will be unable to meet their banking obligations, posing significant risks to the entire financial sector. Moreover, the prolonged disruption of import–export activities is severely damaging Bangladesh’s image in international markets. The leaders stressed that the adverse impact on trade will inevitably affect the overall economy, with a direct knock-on effect on price inflation during the upcoming Ramadan and Eid seasons. In this context, the crisis is likely to emerge as a major challenge for the incoming government. They also noted that continued port dysfunction will disrupt the schedules of international shipping routes, causing vessels to miss onward destinations and further eroding confidence among global shipping lines.
Appealing respectfully to the current government, the business leaders said:
“In the greater national interest and to keep the wheels of the economy turning, we urge you to resolve this issue immediately. The complexities surrounding the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) lease can be reviewed afresh by the new government if necessary. However, keeping the port paralyzed for this reason is unacceptable under any circumstances.”
At the same time, the leaders made a special appeal to port workers’ unions, saying:
“You are the lifeblood of this port. You have every right to place your demands before the government. But shutting down vessel movement is tantamount to endangering your own home. We urge you, in the spirit of responsibility to the national economy, to withdraw from this exceptional course of action. If the new government assures a review of your demands, restoring port operations would be the highest act of patriotism at this critical moment.”
The business leaders concluded by expressing their firm belief that the government and the protesting parties will sit at the negotiating table without delay and reach a sustainable solution today. Otherwise, they warned, no stakeholder will be able to escape the devastating consequences of this economic catastrophe.
