Our Correspondent

CHITTAGONG, June 14: Freight forwarders at Chittagong Port have agreed to refrain from enhancing their fees following intercession of the shipping minister.

Earlier, International Freight Forwarders Association of Bangladesh (IFFAB) declared to realise the enhanced forwarding charge by Tk 1,000 with effect from June 15.

According to the concerned sources, the declaration of IFFAB created resentment among the different business associations. In an immediate reaction, BGMEA and Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) sternly opposed the announcement of increasing freight forwarding charge and termed it a conspiracy.

BGMEA and CCCI sources said, present practice of realisation of Tk 1500 by the freight forwarders also is not justified. Still, the businessmen have so far been paying the charge at that rate to the freight forwarders on the basis of mutual understanding.

Describing such a move to further enhancing freight forwarding charge as quite unjustified, BGMEA called for immediate withdrawal of the decision and threatened legal measure otherwise.

As the business associations became vocal protesting the declaration of enhancing the charge, Shipping Minister Dr Afsarul Amin met the concerned organisations in a tripartite meeting.