Bangladesh’s largest port, Chittagong, shut down on Sunday as customs officials went on strike amid tensions with the government over tax authority reforms.
The suspension has halted all loading and unloading of goods at the busy port, which usually processes 7,000 to 8,000 containers daily.
“This is deeply impacting our economy,” said Chittagong Port Authority secretary Mohammed Omar Faruq, speaking to AFP about the scale of disruption
Bangladesh is the world’s second-largest garment manufacturer, while textile and garment production accounts for about 80% of the country’s exports.
Mahmud Hasan Khan, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said the halt in port operations would cost the industry $222 million.
“The cost of recovery will be staggering — beyond comprehension — and many factories risk going bankrupt,” he told AFP.
Staff at the National Board of Revenue (NBR) have been striking on and off for weeks over plans to split the authority into two separate bodies.
Bangladesh’s interim leader, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, urged them to end the walkout.
“We hope NBR’s staff will report back to work, setting aside their unlawful programme that goes against the national interest of the country,” his office said in a statement.
“Otherwise, for the sake of the people of this country and safeguarding the economy, the government will be left with no option but to act firmly,” the statement added.
NBR staff were prevented from entering their offices on Sunday after a government order sought to stop them from protesting within their building premises.
Meanwhile, 13 business chambers held a press conference on Saturday, urging the government to resolve the issue as soon as possible.
