Dhaka, Delhi to ink MoU on using Ctg, Mongla ports

Bangladesh will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) under the standard operation procedure (SOP) to allow movement of goods at Chittagong and Mongla sea ports to and from India during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Delhi visit from April 8–10.
According to sources at the shipping ministry, Bangladesh has agreed on the movement of goods through these ports as India is keen on using the two ports in the way other international ports are used. 
Officials of the ministry said no charges or customs duties, except the administration fees, will be taken for these facilities.
Moreover, dedicated places will be sanctioned for India at the ports without any additional charge. No other country will be allowed 
to use these places. Besides, there will be a provision for prioritisation of Indian vessels at the Chittagong port.

Currently, 80 per cent of the country’s exports and imports, worth around USD 55 billion, pass through the Chittagong port.
The government-formed core committee, led by the chairman of the Bangladesh Tariff Commission, recommended in 2011 that a transit fee of Tk. 1,058 be imposed per tonne of goods. 
However, Bangladesh has already permitted India to carry out shipment of goods to seven sister states through Ashuganj and other river ports with a transit fee of only Tk. 192 per tonne.
Under the MoU, Bangladesh will allow the use of Chittagong and Mongla ports for movement of goods to and from India. 
After the agreement, both countries will finalise necessary instruments (agreements, protocol etc.) through mutual consultation for the purpose of implementation of this MoU, which will include the route from the Chittagong or Mongla port to Agartala, among others. 
The movement of goods within Bangladesh will be subject to the laws and regulations of the country.
Shipping ministry officials said Bangladesh would be benefitted in two ways: first, normal charges, as applied in other parts of the world, will be applied here; and second, as the import volume of Bangladesh is bigger than its exports, some containers return empty. India is interested in using those vessels while using the sea ports.
An MoU was signed between Bangladesh and India in June 2015 during the visit of Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, to allow India to use Chittagong and Mongla sea ports.
Sources said four agreements will be ultimately signed, including the use of Chittagong and Mongla ports, a new container terminal for the Mongla port, use of lighthouses and lighter vessels, and plying of cruise ships between the countries.

 

Dhaka, Delhi to ink MoU on using Ctg, Mongla ports

Bangladesh will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) under the standard operation procedure (SOP) to allow movement of goods at Chittagong and Mongla sea ports to and from India during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas Delhi visit from April 810. According to sources at the shipping ministry, Bangladesh has agreed on the movement of goods through these ports as India is keen on using the two ports in the way other international ports are used. Officials of the ministry said no charges or customs duties, except the administration fees, will be taken for these facilities. Moreover, dedicated places will be sanctioned for India at the ports without any additional charge. No other country will be allowed to use these places. Besides, there will be a provision for prioritisation of Indian vessels at the Chittagong port. Currently, 80 per cent of the countrys exports and imports, worth around USD 55 billion, pass through the Chittagong port. The government-formed core committee, led by the chairman of the Bangladesh Tariff Commission, recommended in 2011 that a transit fee of Tk. 1,058 be imposed per tonne of goods. However, Bangladesh has already permitted India to carry out shipment of goods to seven sister states through Ashuganj and other river ports with a transit fee of only Tk. 192 per tonne. Under the MoU, Bangladesh will allow the use of Chittagong and Mongla ports for movement of goods to and from India. After the agreement, both countries will finalise necessary instruments (agreements, protocol etc.) through mutual consultation for the purpose of implementation of this MoU, which will include the route from the Chittagong or Mongla port to Agartala, among others. The movement of goods within Bangladesh will be subject to the laws and regulations of the country. Shipping ministry officials said Bangladesh would be benefitted in two ways: first, normal charges, as applied in other parts of the world, will be applied here; and second, as the import volume of Bangladesh is bigger than its exports, some containers return empty. India is interested in using those vessels while using the sea ports. An MoU was signed between Bangladesh and India in June 2015 during the visit of Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, to allow India to use Chittagong and Mongla sea ports. Sources said four agreements will be ultimately signed, including the use of Chittagong and Mongla ports, a new container terminal for the Mongla port, use of lighthouses and lighter vessels, and plying of cruise ships between the countries.