Apples have been imported through Mongla port for the first time. On Thursday afternoon (21 December), 51 tonnes of apples that arrived in two 40-foot containers were released.

Earlier, on 12 December, Messrs Asian Fruits (BD) Limited imported the apples through Mongla port on the Liberian-flagged ship MV Marks Hai Fong.

On 19 December the consignment was physically examined in the presence of representatives of Mongla customs and the plant quarantine office and of the port's traffic department. The consignment was released on Thursday afternoon.

Md Makruzzaman, deputy secretary of the Mongla Port Authority, said the chairman of the port authority, Rear Admiral Mir Ershad Ali, was present at the delivery of the imported frozen fruit and extended his warm greetings and congratulations to the stakeholders.

Also present were Captain Md Asaduzzaman, member (harbour and marine) of the Mongla Port Authority; Dr AK Anisuzzaman, member (engineering and development); Commander Abdullah Al Mehedi, director (traffic); representatives of the customs authority; and the importers.

Rear Admiral Mir Ershad Ali said that since the opening of the Padma Bridge, the key to the development of the south and south-west, communications, trade and the economy as a whole have benefited greatly. Before, because of the ferries, traders did not want to use Mongla port due to the hassle. Now that there is no ferry between Dhaka and Mongla, traders are more interested in importing and exporting goods directly through Mongla port via the Padma Bridge. With quick ship handling, container stuffing inside the jetty, adequate equipment and safety, Mongla port is becoming a focus of traders' interest, he said.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.