‘Govt unlikely to finalise DP World NCT lease’
Staff Reporter:
The proposed lease deal with Dubai-based port operator DP World for the New Mooring Container Terminal at Chattogram Port is unlikely to be finalised during the interim government’s tenure, said Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida) Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Bin Harun.
At a press briefing in Dhaka on Sunday, Ashik said DP World has praised the progress of the talks but requested more time to review the draft concession agreement.
“As a result, the talks are likely to extend beyond the term of the current government and the upcoming election, and be carried forward by the next administration,” Ashik said.
He noted that DP World has formally acknowledged receipt of the draft agreement and informed the authorities that it would carry out a detailed assessment. “They have asked for some time, and realistically, there are not many working days left,” he added. The remarks come days before the national election and amid protests by Chattogram Port workers demanding cancellation of the DP World lease, an issue that has triggered political debate and labour unrest at one of the country’s key trade hubs.
Clarifying confusion surrounding the role of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Authority in the project, Ashik said the authority is not acting as a commercial partner. Rather, it is serving solely as a facilitator in the negotiation process.
He said that under a government-to-government framework, a MoU is signed first, followed by project-specific PPP talks between the Chattogram Port Authority and the nominated foreign firm.
Ashik, who also chairs the PPP Authority, said DP World is a fully state-owned enterprise of the United Arab Emirates and that coordination has been taking place at every stage at the government level.
He added that discussions with DP World began in 2019 and has now reached an advanced phase.
According to him, negotiations entered their most intense and decisive stage over the past month, involving close consultations across multiple government bodies.
“However, finalising such a large and complex concession agreement naturally requires more time,” he said.
Referring to DP World’s letter expressing optimism that talks would move forward “in the right direction,” Ashik stressed that negotiations would not come to a halt even if the agreement is not signed under the current administration.
“Most likely, the next government will take it forward after the election,” he added.
Meanwhile, labour unrest continues to disrupt port operations. After six consecutive days of work abstention, port workers resumed duties for two days on Friday following talks with Shipping Adviser Brig Gen (retd) M Shakhawat Hossain.
However, labour leaders have warned that protests will resume unless the government abandons its plan to lease the NCT.
Business leaders say the disruption has already caused severe congestion, container backlogs and losses estimated at Tk3, 000 crore, posing serious risks to the national economy.
Although the Chattogram Port Authority claims operations have returned to normal, shipping agents and terminal operators report that loading, unloading and cargo delivery activities remain suspended.