Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has called for swift completion of discussions with foreign investors to expand capacity of Chattogram Port and deliver world-class services to port users.
The directive came during a high-level meeting held this evening at State Guest House Jamuna, attended by senior officials from Ministry of Shipping, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA), Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) and other relevant bodies.
Emphasizing the importance of efficient management, Prof Yunus said, “We must bring in competent operators to run our ports if we are to compete on a global scale. Transforming our ports into world-class facilities is essential for establishing the investment hub we envision.”
During the meeting, BIDA and BEZA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun shared projections indicating that Bangladesh’s current annual port handling capacity of 1.37 million units could rise to 7.86 million units within five years through strategic development.
He noted that Chattogram Port’s New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) currently handles 1.27 million units annually, while Mongla Port manages 0.1 million units. With planned upgrades, these capacities could increase to 1.5 million and 0.63 million units respectively.
Ashik also highlighted the significant boost expected from completion of key projects such as Patenga Container Terminal, Laldia Container Terminal, Bay Terminal and Matarbari Deep Sea Port, which together could raise country’s handling capacity to over five million units.
He briefed the Chief Adviser on progress of Laldia Port’s construction and Prof Yunus urged all relevant agencies to complete the development works by August through effective coordination.
Among those present were Shipping Adviser Brigadier General (retd) Dr. M. Sakhawat Hussain, Special Envoy to Chief Adviser Lutfey Siddiqi, Shipping Senior Secretary Mohammed Yousuf, Secretary to Chief Adviser’s Office Md Mahmudul Hossain Khan, Public Private Partnership Authority CEO Muhammad Rafiqul Islam, and CPA Chairman Rear Admiral S M Moniruzzaman.
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