Staff Correspondent:

Amid rumours swirling about a possible plan to handover the Chittagong Port to foreign entities, Press Secretary to the chief adviser Shafiqul Alam on Sunday (May 25) poured water over it, saying the port was not being given to anyone.

Speaking at a dialogue organised by the Capital Market Journalists Forum in the capital’s Paltan area, he said, “We are working to ensure improved management of the port terminal and attract investment there. So far, we have received assurances of $3 billion. That is, they [foreign companies] will invest this money in the development of Chittagong Port. If the capacity of the port increases, it will have a positive impact on the country’s economy.”

Alam stated that by the end of the interim government’s tenure, foreign direct investment (FDI) will see significant growth, largely because of major reforms planned for Chittagong Port.

“The government’s goal is to allow major global companies to manage the port.”

He further explained that Bangladesh lacks the technology, experience, and expertise to take the port to the next level. Therefore, discussions are ongoing with major international companies, including Dubai’s DP World, AP Moller Maersk, and the Port of Singapore Authority, to enhance the port’s efficiency.

“If they come, the efficiency of our port will increase.”

He claimed there was no better place in the world for investment than Bangladesh, adding the chief adviser wanted to make Bangladesh a manufacturing hub for which first the efficiency of the port had to be increased.

He also said most of the 100 economic zones (EZs), approved during the tenure of ousted premier Sheikh Hasina, remain vacant, serving as buffalo grazing fields.

“Large sums of money were spent acquiring land for these zones, but investors are not coming, primarily due to the lack of port capacity.”