IN AN effort to become a hub for Andaman transportation a key step has been taken to connect southern Thai Ranong port to Bangladesh’s main port Chittagong, Naewna newspaper said this morning (July 3).
Both Thailand and Bangladesh are members of Bimstec (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) with other member countries being India, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
Deputy Transport Minister Mrs. Manaporn Charoensri announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two countries on linking up the two ports and developing a new shipping route at a press conference yesterday with this attended by Dr. Nalinee Taveesin, president of Thailand Trade Representatives, Mr. Kriengkrai Chaisiriwongsuk, director–general of the Port Authority of Thailand and Bangladeshi Ambassador Mr. Faiyaz Murshid Kazi who was accompanied by Ms. Pojjana Paniangvait, an honorary consul to Thailand.
This new shipping route will reduce transportation time from 7-15 days to only 3-5 days.
“The cooperation between Ranong and Chittagong ports is an important step in upgrading Thailand’s maritime logistics capabilities at the regional level, strengthening Thailand’s role in the Bimstec arena while preparing to become a hub for Andaman transportation, effectively and sustainably connecting the economies of South Asia and the Indian Ocean in the future,” Manaporn said.
Bangladesh is one of the Bimstec member countries with high potential having a population of over 170 million people while enjoying an average economic growth rate of 5-7% a year. Chittagong Port is the country’s main port, playing a key role in over 90% of all maritime trade plus posting an average container growth rate of 14% a year, Nalinee said.
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Top and Front Page: Thai Ranong port
Insert: Chittagong port. Photo: The Business Standard
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