Business Desk :
The interim government was taking steps to appoint an operator for the Chattogram Port by December, clarifying that the port itself would not be handed over to anyone, said Shipping Adviser M Shakhawat Hussain on Wednesday.
The retired Brigadier General M Shakhawat Hussain, the government’s shipping adviser, also infromed that several steps and procedures have already been completed to ensure the appointment process is finalized on time.
“The port is not being given to anyone. An operator will be appointed solely for its management,” he told reporters at a seminar organized by the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS).
The adviser added that the move aims to improve port efficiency and management, which are vital for trade and logistics in Bangladesh. Chattogram Port, the country’s largest seaport, handles the majority of import-export activities, making its effective operation crucial for economic growth.
During the seminar, Adviser Shakhawat highlighted that Bangladesh has yet to fully exploit its blue economy due to a lack of political willingness. He emphasized sustainable management of ocean resources, including fisheries, shipping, and maritime trade, as essential for national development.
The government’s plan has faced protests from socio-political groups, who are concerned that leasing port services to foreign operators could compromise national control. Officials, however, reiterated that only operational management would be outsourced, not ownership, aligning with international practices where professional operators manage ports without taking control.
