They stressed developing a leadership well aware of economic activities and growth, and forming pressure groups to press for required development of the port city in the greater interest of the nation.

The roundtable titled "Economic Growth of Chittagong: Prospects and Challenges" was jointly organised by Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and The Daily Star and held at the CCCI auditorium in the afternoon.

The discussants identified some problems hindering development of the port city, such as poor physical infrastructure, lack of administrative initiative and cooperation and sluggish implementation of projects.

They demanded enhancing efficiency of Chittagong port and setting up a deep sea-port in this part of the country immediately.

They also suggested developing the infrastructure to separate port traffic from city traffic that would make transport of cargo and container to and from the port easier.

It would also put an end to the congestion of containers and consequent vessel congestion occurring at the port frequently, they thought.

The speakers regretted that the third bridge on the Karnaphuli river, which could have helped development of a huge industrial belt on the other bank of the river, is yet to be constructed.

Moderating the roundtable, renowned economist Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, also executive president of Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC), said that as the country's premier port city, Chittagong needs development on the basis of both regional and national perspectives.

Addressing the roundtable with CCCI President Saifuzzaman Chowdhury in the chair, Editor of The Daily Star Mahfuz Anam observed that achievement of sustainable development of the country was not possible keeping Chittagong sidelined in the development process. Still, there were some impediments to the process of bringing about desired development of Chittagong, he pointed out.

The Daily Star wants to identify and make a priority list of such impediments and publish a series of investigative reports with specific suggestions and guidelines from experts to overcome them, Mahfuz Anam mentioned.

The barriers to development process must be brought to the knowledge of government high-ups and other quarters concerned and they should be purused constantly for resolving the problems, he said, pledging continued support from The Daily Star for this.

He also suggested creating mass awareness in this regard and proposed formation of a group comprising several wings to lobby for the required development in different sectors in Chittagong.

Saifuzzaman Chowdhury said that situated at a strategically important geographical location, the country's premier seaport at Chittagong has a huge region, including the landlocked seven northeastern states of India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and a large portion of China, as its hinterland.

Providing this hinterland with transport facilities side by side with bridging two exclusive economic zones of the Saarc (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) and Asean (Association of South East Asian Nations) countries, Chittagong port could easily be transformed into one of the main ports of the world, he noted.

The CCCI president regretted the negligence to Chittagong and said, "I don't know whether any port city in the world is neglected so much or not. This city has immense potentials and what we need most now is a proper policy to reap benefit from it.”

CCCI Director Dr Moinul Islam Mahmud said Dhaka is the 'brain' and Chittagong is the 'heart' of Bangladesh and that the port city pumps blood in the national economy.

Moinul stressed building Chittagong as a regional hub and said greater connectivity with the neighbouring seven sister states of India and Thailand and Myanmar is needed for this.

“In case of our failure to utilise this opportunity, we might miss the bus, and Haldia and Kolkata would seize the opportunity.”

He criticised the role of finance minister in the implementation of the much-needed Karnaphuli third bridge.

He demanded setting up of a deep sea port by giving top priority to it.

Honorary Consul General of Japan M Nurul Islam said, "We can't utilise the potentials of Chittagong because of political idiosyncrasies of the people here."

He emphasised the need for a complete package for greater economic growth and development of Chittagong.

He also urged the policy-makers to take into consideration the huge potential of 'recycling industry' in Chittagong, saying it has developed in the port city as a unique industrial sector.

“Besides, we want see such lawmakers in the next parliament who would give top priority to the economy,” Nurul Islam added.

Former CCCI president Farid Ahmad Chowdhury demanded that Chittagong should be 'constitutionally' declared as the 'second capital' and a province of Bangladesh to implement the road map of economic growth of the port city properly.

Farid Chowdhury criticised the dilly-dallying in constructing the Karnaphuli third bridge. “How many times shall we have to beg the finance minister for the bridge?” he questioned.

Chief, Planning of Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) Hadi Hossain Babul underscored the need for a four-lane Dhaka-Chittagong Highway, Chittagong-Cox's Bazar Railway Track and another 450 megawatt power plant.

He also urged developing a separate traffic system for Chittagong port and the city.

Senior Vice President of CCCI SM Nurul Hoque blamed the CPA's inept management for the acute container congestions at Chittagong port.

He suggested declaring Chittagong port a Public Limited Company for its greater efficiency.

Former CCCI president Amir Humayun Mahmud Chowdhury said the unnecessary debate between different quarters centring Chittagong port, airport and Newmooring Container Terminal (NCT) has created a division among the Chittagong people and it stands in the way of their progress and development.

Three airlines had expressed their interest to invest in the Chittagong airport but they turned their back due to this debate and division, he said.

CCCI Director Ershad Ullah suggested the inclusion of 'social commitment' in the manifestos of ruling and opposition political parties in next general elections.

Defending criticism by some discussants, CPA Director (Traffic) Ahsan Kabir said that 90 per cent of the country's maritime trade takes place through Chittagong port but many of the port users don't know how to use it.

“Why do you people dump your consignments at the port yards for months together?” he posed a question to the port users.

Kabir, however, admitted they lack a centralised control that sometimes creates problem.

CCCI member and owner of Bengal Shipping MA Awal regretted the non-fulfilment of the promise of Karnaphuli third bridge for the last 15 years.

“There are eight ministers from Chittagong now and if they can't do anything about the bridge I would request them to step down,” he said.

Awal also demanded immediate transfer of the Naval Academy to any other suitable place, saying that the Academy, which is located in the most important point of Chittagong port area, poses a threat of accidents.

CCCI Director Mahfuzul Hoque Shah demanded privatisation of Chittagong port and the NCT. He also urged the media to highlight the corruptions at Chittagong port.

Vice Chancellor of Southern University Prof AJM Nuruddin Chowdhury demanded operational efficiency of port, development of utility services, capacity building of educational institutions, creation of specialised EPZ, deep-sea port, civic amenities and decentralisation of power for achieving the desired economic growth of the port city.

The roundtable was attended, among others, by CCCI Member commodore (rtd) AZ Nizam, Chariman of Chattagram Unnoyan Sangram Parishad SM Jamaluddin, Rangunia EPZ Managing Director A Qaiyum Chowdhury, CCCI Member captain (rtd) Ahsan Aziz Shelly, Women Chamber's Senior Vice President Khaleda Awal, Bangladesh Bank GM Harunur Rashid Chowdhury and CPA engineer MA Sabur.

CCCI Secretary and CEO Osman Gani Chowdhury conducted the opening session of the roundtable.