Dhaka, Aug. 30 -- The country's freight forwarders on Saturday called for reviewing the decision to increase the cargo handling charges at ports, as they believe this would take a serious toll on the country's economy, hampering exports and imports.

Protesting the move to increase such charges taken by the container depot operators, they also said the decision would make a major negative impact on foreign exchange earnings and may result in losing foreign buyers of local merchandise.

They mentioned container handling charges to increase by 20 to 50 per cent on average, while for some terms it would increase by up to 80 per cent. The decision would be effective from September 1.

General members of the Bangladesh Freight Forwarders Assoc...