Chattogram: Chattogram, due to its huge potential, remains at the center point of the Interim government’s vision to turn Bangladesh into a global manufacturing hub. Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun made this statement during a meeting with trade body leaders, investors, members of the civil society, political leaders, and academics at a city hotel.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Chowdhury Ashik emphasized the importance of transforming the government’s vision into reality by 2035, focusing on enhancing the capacities and efficiencies of Chattogram Port to meet international standards. He highlighted the necessity of engaging well-reputed port operators globally to manage existing and proposed port facilities surrounding the Chattogram region.
The BIDA Executive Chairman shared the government’s long-term vision for the country’s port and shipping sectors and sought participants’ opinions on existing bottlenecks and practical solutions. Chowdhury Ashik, who also serves as the Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA), visited key port facilities, including the Bay Terminal at Laldia Char, Patenga Container Terminal, and Chattogram Container Terminal, to assess economic potentials and the state of key port installations.
Chowdhury Ashik stated that the government is committed to maximizing Chattogram’s strategic advantages to propel the country’s economy. He urged local investors, entrepreneurs, and political leaders to collaborate in utilizing Chattogram’s economic benefits, warning that failure to do so could result in Bangladesh falling behind in the global economic race.
During his address, Chowdhury Ashik stressed the need to create jobs for the young population, highlighting that half of the population is under 25, and 45% of voters in the next general election will be first-time voters. He emphasized the importance of a Free Trade Zone in Chattogram to foster industrial production and export, attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) by creating a conducive environment for foreign investors.
Chowdhury Ashik outlined a target to handle 7.8 million TEUs of containers annually by 2030, including the operation of Matarbari Deep Sea Port with globally reputed port operators. He noted the necessity of protecting the country’s interests and the welfare of the local workforce during the engagement process of foreign operators.
The BIDA Executive Chairman acknowledged that Chattogram port lags behind regional economic players in capacity and efficiency, ranking 339 globally according to a World Bank index. In comparison, Sri Lanka has 7 ports, Vietnam has 44 ports with a capacity of 47 million TEUs, and Cambodia has 26 ports.
Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, Shafiqul Alam, underscored the Interim government’s focus on attracting multi-billion-dollar FDI and generating significant employment by transforming Bangladesh into a global factory. He praised Chief Adviser Prof. Muhammad Yunus for his pro-business and pro-investment stance and effective economic diplomacy.
Shafiqul Alam concluded by stating that the aim is to build port capacities not only for local use but also for the benefit of 40 crore people in the region.