Resist those opposing foreign management of Chattogram Port, says Yunus

Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has sought people's support for foreign management of Chattogram Port, saying the move will not pose a security threat.

On Friday, he called on the countrymen to not fall for “baseless” opposition and “misinformation”

In a speech addressing the nation on the Eid-ul-Azha, he assured: “The people we are bringing in to manage the port have not threatened the sovereignty or national security of any country they’ve worked in.”

He said, “We want Bangladesh to be established as the economic hub of South Asia. To achieve this, we have taken initiatives to increase the port’s capacity along with the development of investment services.

“If this is not possible, the unemployment of millions and the economic crisis will persist.”

The government's decision to hand over the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) of Chattogram Port to foreign management has sparked controversy.

Some political parties and economic analysts, including the BNP, are opposing the initiative, expressing fears that handing over the port to foreigners could pose a security risk to Bangladesh.

BNP’s labour organisation, the Sramik Dal, has held protests and sit-in programmes in Chattogram.

The army chief said such a decision should be made by a political government, emphasising the need to consider the views of the people and political leaders.

On May 25, the Chief Advisor's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said the government is in discussions with three companies from three countries regarding the container management of the Chattogram Port.

Speaking at a media briefing, he said: “We want to make reforms in the Chattogram Port. We want the world’s largest companies to manage the port."

“We are talking to Dubai Port DP World, as well as AP Moller Maersk and the Port of Singapore Authority. If they manage, our port capacity will increase.”

At a media briefing in Chattogram, Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) General Secretary Mohammad Shah Alam said that if the stance on port management does not change, the Left Democratic Alliance and the National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, and Power, Port will hold a long march after Eid-ul-Azha.

Yunus said, “Chattogram Port is the heart of Bangladesh’s economy. At present, this heart is very weak. If we leave it in its current state, it will be impossible to move our economy forward.”

He stressed that professional help from experts is required to strengthen the port, saying: “The people we have contacted are the best and most experienced in port management. They manage ports around the world, including Europe, Canada, Australia, China, South Korea, India, Pakistan, Turkey, the Middle East, and Africa.

“Their job is to manage ports, and our goal is to learn it from them as soon as possible.

“If we learn port operations by 2031, then within the following five years, by 2036, Bangladeshis will be managing many of the ports around the world currently operated by these companies.

“You’ll find Bangladeshis working at nearly any port you visit. This will create significant employment opportunities and allow many to rise through the ranks.”

Calling this port the “key” to the economic prosperity of the region, the chief advisor said: “The entire coastal region, from Kumira to Teknaf, will be established as an important economic hub of South Asia with the activities of various ports.

"Many industrial zones will be developed just because of the proximity of the sea and its efficiency in using it. The industry of fish farming, harvesting, and processing at sea using modern methods will open up an entirely new frontier.

“We’ve begun discussions with our friendly nations on this matter, and their response has been highly encouraging.”