Freight owners urge govt to reconsider fuel price hike
Transport owners warn higher fuel costs will raise freight charges and push up prices of goods and essential commodities.
The Bangladesh Covered Van-Truck-Prime Mover Goods Transport Owners Association has urged the government to reconsider the recent fuel price hike, warning that higher fuel costs will increase freight charges and put further pressure on consumers.
In a statement today (21 September), association Secretary General Chowdhury Zafar Ahmed said the sharp increase in fuel prices had caused deep concern in the goods transport sector.
He said fuel accounts for a significant share of the operating costs of trucks, covered vans and prime movers, making higher freight costs inevitable following the price hike.
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"The increase in goods transport costs will raise production, supply and marketing expenses, and ultimately put the burden on consumers," the association said.
It warned that the prices of essential commodities and other goods could rise further, increasing the cost of living.
The association called for an immediate review of the current fuel prices and urged the government to hold an emergency meeting with transport owners to determine a reasonable freight rate in light of the higher fuel costs.
It also called for measures to reduce taxes, fees and other costs imposed on the transport sector and prevent unjustified price increases in the market.
The association said fuel prices should not be determined solely from the perspective of the energy sector.
"While determining fuel prices, the overall impact on goods transportation, industry and commerce, market prices and people's cost of living should also be taken into consideration," it said.
The association expressed hope that the government would take prompt measures to keep the country's goods transport system operational and stable in the interests of the economy and the public.
The statement was issued by Chowdhury Zafar Ahmed, secretary general of the Bangladesh Covered Van-Truck-Prime Mover Goods Transport Owners Association.
