Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) in a fax message to the Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday expressed grave concern over the reported fresh move to install private terminal at the estuary of Karnaphuli, saying that it would certainly go against the national interest as well as security of the country.

Farid Ahmad Chowdhury, president of CCCI, in the message made fervent appeal to the PM for his immediate intervention in this 'highly controversial' matter.

He said Chittagong Chamber had organised seminars, discussions, view exchange meetings and workshops with business community, professional bodies, academicians and civil society on this issue over the years.

"And, they all in similar tone and clear term strongly raised their voice against construction of any such private terminal at the aforesaid estuary, which might pose a real threat to the national security," the CCCI president said.

Referring to a roundtable on "Chittagong Port: A General Consensus on Balanced and Sustainable Growth vis-a-vis Challenge of Globalisation", which was held on 25th August, 2001 and jointly organised by CCCI, The Daily Star, Prothom Alo, Daily Purbokone and Daily Azadi, Chamber president said that the roundtable had unanimously resolved that the construction of SSA-proposed container terminal at the estuary of Karnaphuli river would not be sensible, pragmatic and justifiable so far sovereignty and interest of Bangladesh are concerned.

In the message, the CCCI president urged the BNP-led government to show respect to the views and concern of the people of the country in this regard.