CHITTAGONG. July 6: Chittagong Port handled about 79 lakh metric tons of Import and export cargo during 1993 1994 fiscal, an increase of around three lakh metric tons compared with the previous fiscal year (92 93)

But compared with 91 92 fiscal. the growth In volume of traffic handled by this mafor port of the country stood at around nine lakh metric tons according to reports received from port here

However Chittagong Port officials expect to handle more volume of c argo In the new fls cal year (94 95)

They attributed the rapid growth in traffic to the rise tn country's overall trade and commercial activities

According to the official reports. In 93 94 volume of Im port cargo handled by the port recorded at 67,28.1 18 MT. an increase of 2.31.817 MT compared with 92-93. and similarly export cargo also rose to 11.69.186 MT in the 93 94 from 11.20.082 MT the prevl oua year, showing a growth of 49.104 MT

Besides, the number of con tainers handled by the port went up by 24.471 TEUs as the consignees now prefer container ships in carrying their goods, officials said

Chittagong Port handled 1.74.958 containers during 93-94 fiscal as against 1.50.487 containers in 92 93 .

It handled during 93 94 fiscal a total of 1244 vessels, up from 1232 ships handled in 92-93 fiscal, the reports said. In 91-92 fiscal, Chittagong Port handled only 70.37.826 MT of import and export cargo

The main Import cargoes were food grain, cement fer tllizer, coal. salt, sugar, edible oil and POL while export cargoes Included Jute. Jute products. leather goods, tea. gar ments. frozen goods, fertilizer and naptha, the reports added.