Speakers at a webinar on Tuesday observed that adequate development, diverse logistics infrastructure, including ports and multimodal sub-regional transport connectivity are important to improve Bangladesh’s trade competitiveness and secure low-cost trade potentials with South and South East Asian markets.
They made the observation at the webinar organised by Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), said a press release.
President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and ExportersAssociation (BGMEA) Dr Rubana Huq joined the webinar as the guest of honour while DCCI President Shams Mahmud moderated the webinar.
Rubana Huq said Bangladesh needs to have an internal index of competitiveness and which needs to be monitored regularly.
“We need to ensure best utilization of full capacity of ports. In terms of improvement in logistics performance, inward FDI and intra-regional trade are also important,” she added.
Regarding better coordination in the logistic sector, she urged forprivate sector’s participation as all efforts are for the wellbeing of thecountry.
Shams Mahmud said logistics facilitation enhances countries’ tradecompetitiveness through making on-time trading of goods and services withlower transaction costs.
“Efficient logistics enhances countries’ competitive edge substantially reducing cost of doing business. The efficient logistics management has astronger effect on trade promotion than tariff cuts. Despite remarkableeconomic progress, Bangladesh lags behind competing countries in terms oflogistics infrastructure competitiveness,” he added.
Among others, SANEM Executive Director Dr SelimRaihan and Chairman of the Policy Research Institute (PRI) Dr Zaidi Sattar also spoke on the occasion.SelimRaihan said Bangladesh’s progress in Logistic Performance Index(LPI) between 2007 and 2018 is not up to the expected level whereas China,
Vietnam, Thailand gained tremendous growth.
“Lower position in LPI may hurt our competitiveness. Besides, to increaseexport, improvement in LPI is crucial,” he added. He also emphasized on faster implementation of large in frastructureprojects, upgradation of railways, shipping and river connectivity on thepriority basis.