Bhomra land port goes digital
This event marks a significant milestone in the advancement of Bangladesh's trade facilitation infrastructure, aligning with the national vision of building a Smart Bangladesh.
The much-anticipated inauguration ceremony of the Bhomra e-Port Management System under the Digitalisation of the Border Procedures at Bhomra Land Port (DBLP) project was held on 4 July at the Bhomra Land Port office, Satkhira.
The Bhomra e-Port Management System aims to digitalise port procedures, thereby enhancing efficiency, reducing delays, and promoting a seamless trade process, aligning with the national vision of building a Smart Bangladesh.
The initiative is a collaborative effort involving the Bangladesh Land Port Authority, the Ministry of Shipping, Swisscontact, and the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation.
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State Minister of Shipping, Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, attended the inaugural event as the chief guest, with Md Zillur Rahman Chowdhury, chairman of Bangladesh Land Port Association, in the chair.
Fazle Razik, team leader of the project, was present with the full programme team from Swisscontact.
Among others, Ashrafuzzaman Ashu, MP (Satkhira-2), Laila Parvin Sejuti, MP, Macarena Torres Rossel, deputy director, Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation, Benjamin Lang, director of Global Programmes at Swisscontact Global, and Mujibul Hasan Cezanne, country director of Swisscontact Bangladesh.
In his keynote speech, State Minister Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, said, "The digitalisation of Bhomra Land Port aligns with the vision to build a Smart Bangladesh, marking a significant step towards accelerating economic growth and enhancing regional commerce."
He highlighted the strategic significance of Bhomra Land Port, especially in light of its proximity to neighbouring countries and its role in regional trade.
Macarena Torres Rossel, deputy director, Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation, mentioned that the Ministry of Shipping and the Bangladesh Land Port Authority share common agendas that align with the global mandates of the alliance.
She said, "The alliance is honoured to be a part of this groundbreaking initiative and to be working with the Government of Bangladesh and BLPA through the facilitation of Swisscontact Bangladesh."
Benjamin Lang, director at Swisscontact Global, underscored the project's innovation in digitalising border procedures to spur prosperity and inclusivity, aiming to set new standards in trade facilitation.
He said, "The Digitalisation of Border Procedures at Bhomra Land Port project stands as a testament to our commitment to enhancing trade efficiency and fostering inclusive growth, and this event marks the beginning of a transformative journey towards a more prosperous future for Bangladesh's economy."
Mujibul Hasan, country director of Swisscontact Bangladesh, said, "This initiative not only promises enhanced efficiency and security but also sets a precedent for future advancements in land port management across the country."
The digitalisation of Bhomra Land Port is expected to significantly impact the private sector by fostering inclusivity, enhancing efficiency, transparency and accountability, and building credibility.
A live demonstration of the e-Port Management System was conducted by Abdullah Al Arafat, Senior Specialist - Digital System Integration, DBLP, Swisscontact.
