Even as MV Songa Cheetah, as part of direct shipping between Europe and Bangladesh,has reportedly left from Chittagong Port for Italy on its return voyage recently carrying mostly garments, the President of the BGMEA has said direct shipping between Italy and Chittagong will reduce costs by almost 40 per cent even as it will also open new horizon for Bangladesh’s foreign trade.
Media reports maintained this adding Faruque Hassan said this at a view-exchange meeting between delegates of the BGMEA and Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) officials recently.
With this, goods from Bangladesh will now reach Europe in just 16 days even as it currently takes 40 to 45 days or more for the use of transhipment ports, further, reportedly, added the President of the country’s apex garment makers’ body.
Meanwhile, terming the new shipping service ‘just a beginning’, European Union Ambassador Charles Stuart Whiteley hoped Chittagong Port will expand its capacity in the coming years even as Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh Enrico Nunziata on his part added the direct service will surely cut shipping costs and benefit all parties involved.
