Chittagong remains a long way off from being the country’s commercial capital although successive governments since independence have pledged to give it such a status. According to sources, making such an assurance the BNP had captured almost all the parliamentary seats in the 1991 elections. Subsequently, nine MPs from Chittagong were made ministers and state ministers. But nothing substantial was done and Chittagong got no legal recognition as commercial capital. A bill to this end is yet to be placed in the Jatiya Sangsad. There is no wing or desk of shipping and commerce ministries here, although it is the main seaport and central point of business in the country. There is no head office of bank or insurance companies in Chittagong. In the opinion of some people ‘commercial capital’ is just a slogan which is used as a tool to derive political benefit. Analysts say due to the prime importance from the country’s economic point of view, Chittagong is described as the port city, the gateway to country’s economy, the beauty queen of the East, the commercial capital etc. The main port of the country is in Chittagong. Some 90 percent of import and export is done and 65 percent of revenue is collected through the Chittagong port and the customs house. One of the country’s export processing zone (CEPZ), Sitakundu, Kalurghat and Mohra heavy industrial zones, two huge depots of fuel oil, two gas fields, 22 tea gardens and the main auction centre of tea are located beside the Chittagong port. But despite all these, Chittagong continues to be neglected due to inaction of the government in determining the policy. The people of Chittagong are not happy with this situation. They think that Chittagong is only giving and is getting nothing better than assurance. Commercial capital is only a political slogan now and using this the political parties are being benefited. However, it is reassuring that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has taken over the responsibility of the development of Chittagong city. While opening the Chittagong World Trade Centre, she told a gathering about the paramount importance of Chittagong in regional connectivity and economy. Besides, she inaugurated six development projects of Tk 5,000 crore. The PM’s speech has been widely acclaimed by the people.
