The leaders of the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh emphasised the urgent need for comprehensive reforms in Bangladesh鈥檚 port and logistics sector to boost bilateral trade and attract greater US investment.
They also said the improved port and logistics management would strengthen the business climate for US investors and would address key challenges and opportunities within Bangladesh鈥檚 port and logistics landscape.
They were speaking at the AmCham Breakfast Meeting on 鈥楶ort & Logistics Management鈥� at a hotel in the capital on Monday.
The meeting, supported by UPS Bangladesh, hosted industry leaders, policymakers, and international stakeholders to discuss challenges and opportunities at the ports and logistics聽sectors.
In his opening remarks, AmCham president Syed Ershad Ahmed said that the logistics sector employs about seven million people and contributes nearly 20 per cent to Bangladesh鈥檚 GDP.
However, despite its importance, the sector remains underdeveloped and fragmented, with Bangladesh ranking low on global indices for customs clearance and infrastructure.
鈥楢lthough a logistics policy was drafted in 2024, its implementation has yet to begin,鈥� he added, noting that a comprehensive strategy, supported by all stakeholders, is vital to unlock the sector鈥檚 full potential and enhance competitiveness.
Philip Grove, director of business development at Ellicott Dredge Enterprises LLC, detailed his engagement with Bangladesh for the past 16 years.
He stressed the importance of real-time data, visibility in logistics, and modern technology-driven solutions to streamline cargo tracking and reduce costs.
He also highlighted opportunities for collaboration between Bangladeshi stakeholders and US-based solution providers.
Rear Admiral Moniruzzaman, chairman of the Chittagong Port Authority, said that Bangladesh was rapidly progressing in modernising its ports.
鈥楥urrently, Chittagong Port handles over 96 per cent of the country鈥檚 trade and 98 per cent of container traffic. To reduce dependency on a single port, the government is working on a JICA-backed national port policy, set to be finalised by year-end,鈥� he added.
He also said that the modernisation drive is underway, which includes digital solutions such as e-gates and real-time cargo tracking, along with partnerships with global operators like TSC, B2W, Maersk, and MSC.聽
鈥榃ith more than half of the population under 27 years of age, there is a pressing need to invest in capacity building, ensure policy consistency, and align with global standards,鈥� he added.
Moniruzzaman also underscored the importance of green port development to meet carbon reduction targets while positioning Bangladesh as a trade-ready hub by 2030.
In the dialogue section, moderated by Chowdhury Kaiser Mohammad Riyadh, executive director of AmCham Bangladesh, the discussants focused on enhancing US export potential, creating a more attractive investment environment, and addressing systemic challenges in Bangladesh鈥檚 logistics ecosystem.
Sector leaders from shipping companies, port and terminal operations, logistic companies, the ICDs, and shipping agent companies also spoke at the event.聽
Al-Mamun M Rashel, treasurer of AmCham Bangladesh, gave the vote of thanks at the event.
