The Finance Minister, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, stated that the government is working tirelessly to cut through bureaucracy and reach a $1 trillion economy by 2034, emulating the efficiency of the private sector. Emphasizing the extensive regulatory reforms, he highlighted that his recent budget address dedicated four and a half pages solely to outlining the deregulation initiatives being implemented.
To ensure the swift implementation of these reforms and avoid bureaucratic hurdles, direct enforcement measures are being taken by the government, as mentioned by the minister. He made these remarks as the chief guest during the official launch of RSGT Bangladesh at the Sheraton Dhaka in Banani. RSGT Bangladesh operates the Patenga Container Terminal at Chattogram port.
The finance minister announced the formation of a task force to supervise the deregulation efforts to prevent any obstruction. He also mentioned the forthcoming launch of a website where individuals encountering issues with the new deregulated framework can file complaints, assuring prompt resolution without any compromises.
The arrival of Saudi Arabia’s RSGT in Chattogram is viewed as a significant advancement in addressing the persistent logistical challenges impacting the local business community, particularly vessel turnaround and delivery times. Stressing the importance of port efficiency for economic progress, the minister underscored that every hour and day are crucial in business operations.
The objective is to position Chattogram as the premier logistics hub not only for Bangladesh but also for the broader South Asian region. Reflecting on the longstanding ties between Dhaka and Riyadh, the minister traced the roots of the deepening Saudi-Bangladesh relations to President Ziaur Rahman’s close rapport with the Saudi royal family, which expanded further during Begum Khaleda Zia’s tenure, leading to over 4 million Bangladeshi expatriates currently employed in Saudi Arabia.
The minister welcomed RSGT’s presence as a natural extension of this historic alliance and encouraged the Saudi company to explore opportunities beyond the port sector for future investments, assuring unwavering government backing. Aamer Abdullah Zainal Alireza, executive chairman of RSGT, and Erwin Haaze, CEO of RSGT Bangladesh, also addressed the audience during the event.