DCCI calls for integrated logistics ecosystem to sustain exports

Ensuring efficient and integrated logistics ecosystem urgently needed to enhance the country’s export volumes alongside improving the overall business and investment climate, the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) said yesterday.

The trade body called for an integrated and efficient logistics ecosystem to support trade and investment at a roundtable titled “Integrated port and logistics development for a trade-driven Bangladesh” held at the DCCI Auditorium on Saturday.

Md. Salim Ullah, Director General of Bangladesh Institute of Management (BIM), spoke as special guest.

Md. Salim Ullah said that Bangladesh remains significantly behind in the efficient management of integrated ports and logistics systems, which is continuously increasing the cost of doing business.

He stressed the importance of coordinated efforts among all stakeholders to achieve the desired development in the sector.

In his keynote presentation Dr. M. Masrur Reaz, Chairman and CEO, Policy Exchange of Bangladesh, noted that manufacturing sectors contribute nearly 25 per cent to Bangladesh’s GDP, which is considerably higher than many neighbouring countries.

Drawing on comparative data, Dr. Reaz warned that Bangladesh’s overdependence on the readymade garments sector, which still accounts for 81.49 percent of total exports in FY2024-25, combined with a deteriorating logistics ecosystem, poses serious risks to the country’s long-term economic resilience, particularly as it approaches LDC graduation.

“RMG exports have already declined 5.51 percent in July-March of FY2025-26,” he said, underscoring vulnerability in the country’s narrow export base.

On the logistics front, Reaz presented a stark picture.

Bangladesh ranks 88th on the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index, far behind India at 38th and Vietnam at 43rd, while Chattogram Port sits at 356th on the Container Port Performance Index, compared to Haiphong at 30th. Container dwell times at Chattogram remain critically high, with vessel turnaround averaging 3.23 days against just 0.86 days at Colombo.

He said Chattogram Port handles 92 percent of the country’s seaborne trade and 98 percent of container trade, yet operates under an outdated “tool port” model, relies heavily on manual processes, and has a draft depth of only 9.5 metres, insufficient for large vessels and forcing costly transshipment via third countries. Port tariffs have not been revised since 2008.

Citing World Bank research, Reaz said a 25 percent reduction in logistics costs could boost exports by 20 percent, while cutting container dwell time by just one day at Chattogram would increase exports by 7.4 percent.

During the open floor discussion session, DCCI Director Engr. M.A. Wahab, former Director A.K.D. Khair Mohammad Khan, Managing Director of EXG Projects Logistics (BD) Ltd. Md Abrarul Alam and representative of ANB Logistics Moktar Uddin Moti, among others spoke.

DCCI Vice President Md. Salem Sulaiman, members of the DCCI Board of Directors and representatives from both government and private sectors were also present at the event.