CHITTAGONG, May 8 (V7N) - Bangladesh is planning to engage top international port operators to improve the efficiency and maximize the utilization of the country's land and port capacities, according to Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, the executive chairman of both the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA).  

He made this statement while briefing reporters on Thursday following his inspection of the operational activities at Chittagong Port, the Laldiar Char Terminal, and the Bay Terminal project.

The BIDA chairman asserted that many ports globally are successfully managed by leading international operators without any compromise on security, suggesting that Bangladesh can adopt a similar approach.  

"To increase investment and create employment, it is significant to expand and strengthen port operations," Ashik Chowdhury stated, emphasizing that the country's port and land capabilities could increase manifold if top global operators are involved in their management.  

Reassuring that there would be no security threats if foreign operators manage the ports, he said, "Our goal is to make Bangladesh a manufacturing hub, and for that, enhancing port capacity is essential."

Regarding the Bay Terminal project, he informed that two foreign firms are poised to invest approximately $2 billion in phases, which is expected to generate significant employment opportunities. "Once operational by 2030, the Bay Terminal is anticipated to bring about a major economic transformation across the region," he expressed optimistically.  

Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman, chairman of the Chittagong Port Authority, stated that the Bay Terminal will have the capacity to directly accommodate large container vessels (mother vessels) and is projected to provide direct employment for 25,000 people, in addition to creating opportunities for over 100,000 others.  

Earlier in the day, the BEZA chairman engaged in discussions with local business leaders at a hotel and subsequently held a press conference at the Circuit House, where he shared his insights on the future of port operations and development plans.  

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