With a goal of bringing in about US $ 3 billion to build and upgrade important port facilities, the Bangladeshi Government is aggressively looking into ways to improve its port infrastructure through more foreign direct investment (FDI). The executive chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida), Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, stressed the significance of enlisting top international port operators to maximise the port’s limited capacity while preserving jobs and labour rights.
Chowdhury outlined plans to draw foreign direct investment (FDI) for three significant projects: the Laldia Container Terminal at Chattogram Port and two more terminals under the Bay Terminal expansion initiative, during a press briefing at Chattogram Circuit House after a tour of the port and ongoing expansion sites. He expressed hope that the nation’s ability to handle containers might be greatly increased by these investments, which are anticipated to be implemented in stages, including construction and equipment installation.
The Bida chief also toured the project sites and talked about the larger goal of making Bangladesh a global centre for manufacturing by utilising its young labour force and advantageous port location. He contrasted Vietnam’s 47 million TEUs handled across 44 ports with Bangladesh’s current capacity, which is expected to reach 7.8 million TEUs upon project completion.
Chowdhury said that the greatest management methods in the world will help make Bangladesh’s port story a success and urged the involvement of leading international port operators to oversee both new and existing facilities. With proposals for a Chinese economic zone, Mirsarai special economic zone, and a possible free trade zone—all of which rely significantly on effective port operations—he emphasised the significance of creating Chittagong as a holistic economic hub.
Nonetheless, local political and economic leaders have opposed the Government’s proposals. Critics voiced their worries about foreign participation in port administration during a meeting with Bida officials. While foreign investment is important, gains are frequently repatriated, according to PHP Group Chairman Sufi Mizanur Rahman, who urged the Government to provide assistance for domestic investors who reinvest locally. Ershad Ullah, a former president of the Chittagong Chamber, questioned the justification for allowing foreign operators to use terminals that were previously established, such as NCT, which was built with public monies.
In order to strengthen company operations in Chittagong and lessen reliance on Dhaka, BSRM Managing Director Ameir Alihussain called for the decentralisation of decision-making procedures. The opposition also brought attention to the problem of bureaucratic delays.
Notwithstanding the arguments, the Government is nevertheless dedicated to increasing port efficiency and capacity in order to support Bangladesh’s larger economic goals, including as the establishment of important industrial zones like Chattogram that depend on strong port infrastructure to thrive. The upcoming years will be critical in striking a balance between local interests, foreign investment, and sustainable growth as the country seeks to establish itself as a manufacturing powerhouse.
