Chattogram is a large port city on the southeastern coast of Bangladesh. The city is located on the banks of the Karnaphuli River between the Chattogram Hill Tracts and the Bay of Bengal. The district is spans over 5,300 square kilometers and the population size is around 8 million. It combines the hump of a restless seaport with the pleasure of a charming hill town with its undulating topography.
Being the largest port city and major commercial hub in Bangladesh, heavy steels, cement, fertilizer industries, oil refineries, off-docks & logistics services, automobile, garment industries, EPZs, etc has been established around the port and play a major role in export-import activities.
The Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) is responsible for governing municipal areas in the Chattogram Metropolitan Area. It is headed by the Mayor of Chattogram. The city corporation’s mandate is limited to basic civic services, however, the CCC is credited for keeping Chattogram one of the cleaner and most eco-friendly cities in Bangladesh. The Chattogram Development Authority is responsible for implementing the city’s urban planning.
Chattogram, recently renamed as Chattogram is Bangladesh’s second most significant city after capital Dhaka. It hosts one of the oldest international seaports of the world which is also the country’s busiest and 3rd busiest in South-Asia as well. The seaport handles more than 80% of export-import alone.
Besides, the country’s first & oldest Chamber of Commerce & Industries, international airport, stock exchange, EPZs, SEZs, deep sea-port, bay terminals, heavy steel, cement & fertilizer industries, ship-recycling, major oil refineries, world-class garment factories, biggest commodity market, largest naval & coast-guard bases, marine fisheries, etc. also put this region on the higher rank. As international trade & business facilitators, the biggest custom house, the central bank along with all major local & global banks are situated here.
Chattogram is also naturally rich having the world’s largest natural sea beach, Cox’s Bazar, hill tracts, extended tea-gardens, oil & gas mines, hydro-electricity plant. The booming hospitality industry consists of five-star hotels, eco-resorts, beautiful lazier spots/parks & historic places, etc. bring thousands of tourists from other parts of the country & aboard.
Considering all, Chattogram is often called Bangladesh’s Commercial Capital due to its diversified contributions to the country. It could have a greater impact hugely not only for Bangladesh but also as a regional trans-shipment hub in Asia and a major player in the blue economy.