No scope for leasing Ctg Port to foreign entities, political leaders say

Leaders of several political parties today (7 June) urged the BNP-led government to clarify its position on the future management of Chattogram Port, warning against any move to lease the country's principal seaport to foreign operators.

Speaking at a protest meeting at the National Press Club in Dhaka, they described the issue of Chattogram Port and the Bangladesh-US trade agreement as a "litmus test" for the government, arguing that such agreements could pave the way for foreign dominance over the country's strategic assets.

The programme, organised by the platform Desh Bachao Bandar Bachao Andolon (Save the Country, Save the Port Movement), called for protecting what speakers described as the "heart of Bangladesh's economy" from foreign control. 
The meeting was chaired by the organisation's president, Advocate Syed Ehsanul Huda.

In his welcome remarks, Lakshmipur-1 lawmaker Shahadat Hossain Salim said Chattogram Port was the country's most modern seaport and that the New Mooring Container Terminal remained its most dynamic and revenue-generating facility.

"There is no justification for leasing the port to anyone at this moment," he said. "It is self-sufficient and is being managed efficiently by domestic institutions. In the future as well, it should remain under the management of capable local operators."

He warned that handing over the port to foreign entities could compromise national sovereignty and the security of sensitive installations, while also resulting in the outflow of foreign currency from Bangladesh.

Saiful Huq, general secretary of the Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh, questioned why the country had not developed the capacity to manage its own port after 55 years of independence.

"Chattogram Port is the driving force and heartbeat of our economy. Under no circumstances can we hand it over to foreigners," he said, calling on the government to cancel any agreement that would allow foreign management of the facility.

He said the port was already profitable under local management and that any shortcomings could be addressed through further improvements rather than foreign involvement.

Referring to reports of a possible agreement with DP World, Saiful alleged that the company had links with the US Navy. He also criticised Bangladesh's trade agreement with the US, describing it as "subordinate in nature". 

He urged the government to place all major agreements before parliament for open discussion and approval.

Ruhin Hossain Prince, former general secretary of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), accused foreign actors of attempting to interfere with Bangladesh's sovereignty.

"We must prioritise the principle of 'Bangladesh First'," he said, adding that the interim government had merely continued the policies of the previous administration by pursuing an agreement with DP World regarding Chattogram Port.

"If the interim government had truly acted in the national interest, it would have cancelled the agreement," he said.

In his concluding remarks, Syed Ehsanul Huda alleged that the previous interim administration had sought to hand over the port to foreign operators despite there being no need for external investment.

Expressing confidence in the current elected government, he said he expected it to uphold national interests under the principle of "Bangladesh First".
"We want to further develop Chattogram Port through our own management and capabilities," he said.