State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury stated on Saturday that Sheikh Hasina will never act in a way that ignored the interests of the nation, highlighting the Bangladesh Awami League's dedication to the nation.

"We have not and will not enter into a contract to sell the nation. He declared, "Sheikh Hasina would never act in a way that disregards the interests of the nation.

State Minister Khalid made this statement as the primary guest at the "installation and handing over" of export-oriented cargo container scanners that are connected to the Chattogram Port Authority's security system next to Gate No. 4 of the port.

He claimed that Sheikh Hasina has an all-encompassing mindset and that her administration won't take any actions that are detrimental to the nation's interests. Speaking on foreign investment in the nation, Khalid Mahmud said that Saudi Arabia, a "brotherly country," has contributed to the operation of the Patenga Container Terminal at Chattogram Port, and that other nations are in the process of making investments that would strengthen the national economy.

The state minister stated that every effort is being made to ensure that the Chattogram port maintains the international standard set out by the "International Ship and Port Facility Security Code."

He said that the Chattogram Port has been upgraded to a time-appropriate port with the installation of cutting-edge security measures, making it a safe port in the global context.

According to the state minister for shipping, not just this port but also Mongla, Payra, and other ports are being digitalized and will have scanners installed. He said that the nation's premier port has been progressing with the help of all parties involved, shattering the previous record for cargo handling, and that it has reached a new improvement milestone.

He stated that each of the two scanners, which were installed at a cost of Tk 86 crore, will have the capacity to scan 150 containers per hour.

He said that although work is being done on the green port "Bay Terminal," operations at the Patenga Container Terminal have already started.

Once the Bay Terminal is operational, boats up to 280 meters long and 12 meters deep, with a capacity of 6,000 containers, will be able to anchor in the ocean. Described the features of the scanners, the state minister expressed hope that they would be crucial in boosting the nation's economy by stating that transit and transshipment in the transportation of products to neighboring nations will rise as a result of the scanners.

Scanners were added to the port's security fleet in order to accelerate the shipping of export goods, lessen container congestion in the port, facilitate lawful trade, and prevent the export of dangerous and illegal goods. This will allow the current government to realize its vision of a developed and prosperous smart Bangladesh by 2041.

Taking the initiative in putting regular, practical measures into place will also be beneficial. Two export-oriented gates now have real-time CCTV and image monitoring systems installed, together with two sets of radioactive portal monitors, scanned image monitoring centers, and container scanners.

Therefore, intervention by conventional individuals in the current cargo testing system may be avoided by efficient enforcement and voluntary compliance in cargo exports.

In addition to Senior Secretary of the Shipping Ministry Md. Mostafa Kamal, Project Director, and the port's Director of Security, Lt. Col. Mostafa Arifur Rahman Khan, the event was chaired by Chattogram Port Chairman Rear Admiral Mohammad Sohail. 

End//voice7news.tv