Govt plans to appoint foreign operators for ports in Ctg by September: Shafiqul Alam

The interim government plans to appoint international companies to operate all ports in the Chattogram region by September this year to improve port efficiency and boost the country's economic growth, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has said.

Speaking at a press conference held at the district Circuit House today (2 May), Shafiqul Alam said, "If we want to take Bangladesh's economy to new heights, there is no alternative to increasing the efficiency of the port.

"We want to give the responsibility of the port to the world's top companies that have experience and qualification in handling large ports across the globe. And the interim government wants to do that by next September."

He added that discussions were already underway with several reputed foreign companies, either through open tenders or government-to-government (G2G) agreements.

"Companies with experience operating 50, 60, even 90 ports worldwide are under consideration. No company without a proven track record will be given responsibility," he said.

According to Shafiqul Alam, Chief Adviser Prof Yunus has set a key goal of transforming the Chattogram region into a major manufacturing hub, not only for Bangladesh but also for the wider region of 30 to 40 crore people.

He noted that the New Mooring Container Terminal of Chattogram Port currently handles 12.7 lakh TEUs annually, with a target of raising that to 78.6 lakh TEUs by 2030.

He stressed that improved port efficiency would lead to greater employment opportunities and support large-scale exports.

"Once goods are produced, arrangements must be in place to export them quickly. Efficiency does not only mean operations at the port; the entire inland logistics system will also be included in a coordinated plan. But the process must start with the port," he said.

In response to a question about the prioritisation of foreign companies over domestic ones, he said, "Domestic companies do not have the capacity for large investments. Discussions are being held with globally established firms. Billions of dollars in investment will come."

However, Deputy Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, Abul Kalam Azad Mazumder, added that local companies are not excluded.

"If any domestic company believes they are qualified, they are welcome to approach the government with their proposal," he said.

Also present at the press conference were Deputy Commissioner of Chattogram Farida Khanam, Chattogram Press Club Member Secretary Zahidul Karim Kachi, President of the Chattogram Metropolitan Journalists Union Mohammad Shahnewaz, and General Secretary Saleh Noman.