A high-level delegation of Thailand visited the Chattogram port on Monday to review starting the operation of Bangladesh-Thailand direct shipping.
The 18-member delegation led by Dr Nalinee Taveesin, adviser to the Prime Minister of Thailand, was welcomed by Rear Admiral Mohammad Sohail, the chairman of the Chattogram port.
A meeting was held between Rear Admiral Mohammad Sohail, high officials of the Chattogram port, and the delegates, including representatives from 14 Thai companies. The companies are working in various sectors like energy, industrial parks, agro-industry and real estate.
In the sea route, Bangladesh's annual trade with Thailand is two billion dollars, according to the Chattogram port. In 2015, Bangladesh and Thailand agreed to launch ships on the coastal route. In February 2016, a team of 11 people, including the governor of Thailand’s Renong Port, visited Bangladesh. In December 2021, the Chattogram Port Authority signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Renong Port Authority for creating a direct shipping route with the Chattogram port.
Omor Faruk, secretary of the Chattogram Port, said, "A Memorandum of Understanding was signed with Thailand for direct shipping between the two countries. Both the countries are trying to implement it. The high-level delegation of Thailand held a meeting with the chairman of the port and senior officials. After that they visited the jetty. They observed several other things, including logistic support and security, and whether there would be any difficulty in anchoring ships at the jetty.”
There is no direct shipping route between Thailand and the Chattogram port or other ports of Bangladesh. Now, both the countries are using the port of Singapore for their trading.
