CA Yunus begins Chattogram tour with packed engagements

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus began his visit to his home district of Chattogram today (14 May) morning for the first time since taking office, with a series of engagements planned during his roughly 12-hour stay.

Md Yunus arrived at Shah Amanat International Airport in the morning on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight and proceeded directly to Chattogram Port. At the port's New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT), he inspected the operational activities of the country's principal seaport and issued directives to senior officials at Yard No. 5, confirmed Chattogram Port Authority Secretary Md Omar Faruk.

The city of chattogram is abuzz with excitement as this marks Md Yunus's first visit to his hometown since becoming chief adviser. The visit coincides with the convocation ceremony of Chittagong University (CU), creating a festive atmosphere among students, faculty, guardians, and well-wishers.

Following his port inspection, Md Yunus is scheduled to visit the Chattogram Circuit House, where he will unveil the foundation stone of the Kalurghat Rail and Road Bridge, hand over documentation for the Chittagong Heart Foundation Hospital, and attend briefings on urban waterlogging and the development of the Oxygen to Hathazari Road.

Later in the day, Md Yunus, a former professor of the Department of Economics at CU, will attend the university's fifth convocation as the chief guest and convocation speaker. In recognition of his global contributions to poverty alleviation and peace, he will be awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters (D-Litt) degree.

At 1:45pm, he will depart for Chittagong University to join the convocation ceremony.

In the afternoon, Md Yunus will visit the Grameen Bank branch in Jobra village of Hathazari upazila—the birthplace of his globally acclaimed microfinance initiative, which earned him the Nobel Peace Prize.

He will then visit his ancestral home in Bathua village, also in Hathazari, where he plans to spend time with relatives, neighbors, and local residents until 6pm. Md Yunus will return to Dhaka by air later in the evening.

'Bangladesh's economy must change—and for that, Chittagong Port is our greatest hope'

During his inspection of the New Mooring Container Terminal, Md Yunus described Chattogram Port as "the heart of Bangladesh's economy," stressing that the country cannot hope to transform its economic future without modernizing and expanding the port.

"Bangladesh's economy must change—and for that, Chittagong Port is our greatest hope," he said. "A heart that is small or diseased cannot support a body. Similarly, if the port remains underdeveloped, our economic lifeblood cannot circulate. The port must be world-class."

He warned that without this transformation, economic stagnation would persist. "Even Nepal, which lacks its own seaport, will depend on us. If this heart fails, it won't just hurt us—it will hurt them too."

"We're talking about a few terminals while other nations have 20 or 30. This is like trying to survive with a failing heart. It must be strengthened—that is our challenge."

He called for rapid modernisation through global partnerships, suggesting the build-operate-transfer (BOT) model as a viable strategy. "Bring in the best institutions. Let them build with their latest technology, run it, earn from it, and then hand it over to us. We won't need to spend upfront—we'll begin at the cutting edge."

Addressing concerns about foreign involvement, he assured that Bangladeshi workers would operate the port in the long run. "Let them build it—but we will run it. If we sign today, we'll need five years to get up to speed. By 2036, Bangladeshis will not only run this port but others around the world. Our people learn quickly."

He also dismissed fears about job loss. "Jobs won't decrease—they'll increase. We just need to create opportunities and support our workforce."

Recalling the shift in global maritime employment, he noted, "Once it was the Filipinos running ships. Now, it's Bangladeshis. We have the capability. But we must stand firm, work together, and move forward decisively."

Md Yunus expressed strong support for the current leadership of the port, saying, "We're here with the port chairman. He's told us what needs to be done, and we've joined his team."

He concluded, "We are aiming for 2036—the year Bangladeshis will operate ports around the world. But that journey starts now."

Meanwhile, Shipping Adviser Sakhawat Hossain expressed pride and optimism over the Chief Advisor's visit.

"I'm very happy and proud. Though he has known this port since childhood, this visit as Chief Advisor is historic. He has approved every major port project I've brought forward without hesitation," said Dr. Hossain. "His commitment to the port is unwavering."

He added, "You will see dramatic changes in six months. We urgently need a dedicated port road and a multi-modal communication network. The expansion is happening—we're on the move."

CA Yunus lays foundation stone of Kalurghat Bridge

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus today unveiled the foundation stone of the Kalurghat Bridge over the Karnaphuli River.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Adviser said the bridge will be built on the Karnaphuli River in three years.

Once the bridge is built, South Chattogram and tourist town Cox's bazar will be connected with Chattogram city with a third bridge, bringing huge benefit for the people of the country, he said.

The much-anticipated bridge will be built connecting Boalkhali upazila on the north bank and Patiya on the south bank of on the Karnaphuli River.