The critical role of logistical efficiency in sustaining national prosperity has come into sharp focus following recent industrial unrest at the Chattogram Port. Dr M. Masrur Reaz, Chairman of the private research organisation Policy Exchange Bangladesh, has issued a stark warning that any prolonged stagnation at the nation’s primary maritime gateway will have “catastrophic implications” for the economy.
Speaking at a high-level stakeholder dialogue entitled “Building the Logistics Landscape: Constraints, Potentials, and the Path Forward,” Dr Reaz highlighted how the current labour strikes—sparked by the proposed appointment of foreign operators—are choking international trade. The event, hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) in Gulshan, brought together development partners, logistics experts, and officials from the US Embassy.
The Cost of Inefficiency
At the heart of the crisis is the Newmooring Container Terminal (NCT). Port workers have commenced industrial action to protest against the leasing of the terminal to international firms, effectively halting the loading and unloading of vital cargo. Dr Reaz argued that such disruptions are particularly damaging because Bangladesh’s port capacity is already failing to keep pace with its economic ambitions.
“If we cannot integrate international expertise and foreign investment through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in projects like the Bay Terminal and Matarbari Deep Sea Port, we will simply lack the capacity required to compete globally,” Dr Reaz remarked.
The economic stakes are undeniably high. To reach the projected $760 billion GDP target by 2030, Bangladesh must overhaul its supply chain infrastructure. Data suggests that a mere 1% reduction in logistics costs could trigger a 7% surge in exports, a vital metric as the country prepares for its graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status.
Comparative Challenges in the Logistics Sector
The dialogue also addressed the widening gap between Bangladesh and its regional competitors. Industry leaders emphasised that while global trends shift towards automation and decarbonisation, Bangladesh remains hampered by archaic processes.
| Logistics Segment | Current Constraint | Economic Impact |
| Maritime Ports | Labour unrest & limited foreign partnership. | Vessel congestion; delayed RMG exports. |
| Air Freight | Costs 20–25% higher than road transport. | Reduced competitiveness for e-commerce. |
| Customs | Delayed implementation of the 2023 Customs Act. | Manual paperwork slowing transit times. |
| US Exports | Lack of direct cargo flights to the USA. | Increased lead times for premium markets. |
A Call for Radical Reform
Syed Ershad Ahmed, President of AmCham Bangladesh, noted that the domestic understanding of supply chain resilience is still in its infancy. He urged the government to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) and green energy transitions to remain relevant in a shifting geopolitical landscape.
Adding to the technical discourse, Nusrat Nahid Boby, a Senior Transport Specialist at the World Bank, called for the urgent establishment of a dedicated Logistics Department under the Prime Minister’s Office. Furthermore, Moinul Huq of Citibank NA stressed that the full digitalisation of customs—specifically electronic document filing and digital payments—is no longer optional but a necessity for survival in the 2026 fiscal climate.
Without a swift resolution to the port deadlock and a commitment to long-term structural reform, the “Indomitable Bangladesh” economic narrative may find itself anchored by its own logistical shortcomings.