The Ministry of Shipping yesterday decided to form a committee to review the charges at the Chittagong port headed by a joint secretary of the ministry.

Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan took the decision when a delegation of BGMEA led by its president Abdus Salam Murshedy met him at his office at Parliament building and requested him to reduce the port charges.

The committee to be formed comprising representatives from BGMEA, BKMEA, National Board of Revenue, Ministry of Commerce, FBCCI, CCCI, and Chittagong port.

The Committee will submit a report within 15 days of its formation following which the Ministry will take decision regarding revision of charges.

Salam Murshedy told the Minister that port charges were raised by 100 per cent to 500 per cent during the rule of caretaker government.

The meeting decided to keep cut-off time 24 hours on test basis in Chittagong port during the next 2 months.

BGMEA 2^nd  Vice-President Md. Shafiul Islam (Mohiuddin), Vice President (Finance) Md. Siddiqur Rahman , director Arshad Jamal Dipu, former director SM Mannan Kochi, chairman of BGMEA standing committee on port issues Hasan Abduallh and concerned government officials were present during the meeting.