Dhaka: State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat on Thursday expressed optimism that the agreement concerning Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s third terminal will be finalised at a high-level meeting scheduled for tomorrow. He highlighted that key financial gaps have been clarified and Japan has indicated its support for the project.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the state minister, along with Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita, engaged in discussions with the Japanese Ambassador to address negotiations at the Secretariat earlier today. Millat conveyed that the financial discrepancies were explained to the Japanese Ambassador, who expressed understanding and assured that he would advocate for the consortium and the ministry.
Millat pointed out that the third terminal has been inactive for approximately one and a half years during the interim government period, which hindered several foreign airlines from initiating operations in Bangladesh. He stated that if a consensus is achieved, it might take around three months to sign the agreement, with the terminal’s inauguration anticipated by the end of this year or between January and February in 2027.
The state minister mentioned that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, upon taking office, instructed authorities to expedite the opening of the third terminal, leading to the formulation of an action plan and renewed negotiations with the Japanese consortium. Millat outlined recent developments, including a series of meetings, notably at the Foreign Ministry on the 13th, followed by discussions on a revised proposal at the Civil Aviation Authority earlier this week.
Subsequently, the Civil Aviation Authority and the project consultant, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), briefed Afroza and Millat on the current financial gap on Wednesday. The final negotiation meeting is set for tomorrow at 3:00 pm at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Official sources revealed that the Bangladesh delegation will likely include Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam, Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir, State Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, among others. The Japanese side will be represented by vice-ministers for Japanese Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), high representatives of JICA, and the Japanese consortium.
The Japanese consortium, composed of Japan Airport Terminal Company, Sumitomo Corporation, Sojitz Corporation, and Narita International Airport Corporation, submitted a revised offer with reduced pricing, significantly narrowing the differences. The terminal project, largely financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), was constructed at an estimated cost of Taka 21,398 crore. Spanning around 542,000 square meters, it is designed to accommodate an additional 12 to 16 million passengers annually, along with nearly 900,000 tonnes of cargo.