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Change Your Life! |
Greater privatization is a must for changes |
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August 28, 2000
Dhaka (UNB) - A former FBCCI president, who plans international air service in private sector, said greater privatization with integrated approach is a must for radical changes in the country's transportation system. "We also need a regulatory framework so that the private sector feels encouraged to inject funds into infrastructure development…at present the framework is not encouraging," said Yussuf Abdullah Harun at a privatisation seminar. Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) organised the seminar on "Transportation (Air, Water, Land) and Policies Related to Infrastructure and Utilities" in its conference room. DCCI president Aftab ul Islam moderated the seminar while consultant Firoz I Faruqui presented the keynote. "When we do the transport policy we must have to take into account the long-term economic targets," said Harun, who is likely to introduce the country's first private international airlines, South Asia Airlines, in November. He identified deteriorating law-and-order situation influenced by trade unionism and political terrorism as one of the main barriers to the growth of transport sector. For example, he pointed out the inefficiency of Chittagong port. "Government must ensure law and order at least in the transportation sector, road transport in particular." He also demanded privatisation of Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) due to its lackluster performance for last 25 years. "There should not be any excuse to privatise it." Former DCCI president MH Rahman recommended regular river training and maintaining road bridges for smooth transportation. DCCI director Manzur Ahmed suggested setting up an independent National Transportation Commission or Council to implement the recommendations of different seminars. A very few of the recommendations made in different seminars were implemented, he complained. "In the context of ongoing globalisation process, the national interest of the country itself increasingly requires that we develop stronger and stronger transport interface with other national transport systems," Faruqui said in his keynote address. He said infrastructure bottlenecks meant in Bangladesh serious constraint for economic prosperity. "So working out and implementing development strategy and policy for transport sector timely is crucial for Bangladesh," he said. |