3rd terminal deal on horizon

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat on Thursday expresses optimism that the deal for Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s third terminal will be finalised at a high-level meeting tomorrow, saying key financial gaps have been clarified and Japan has signalled support.
“I am hopeful we will reach a conclusion about the deal tomorrow,” he says, reports BSS.

Millat adds that Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita and he met the Japanese Ambassador at the Secretariat earlier in the day to discuss the negotiations.

“The financial gap has been explained to the Japanese Ambassador, who has shown sympathy and assured he will push the consortium and ministry,” he says. He notes that the third terminal remained closed for about one and a half years during the interim government period, preventing several foreign airlines from launching operations in Bangladesh.

“If consensus is reached, it may take nearly three months to sign the agreement,” Millat says, adding that the terminal is expected to be inaugurated by the end of this year or between January and February 2027.

He also says Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, soon after assuming office, directed authorities to open the terminal at the earliest, prompting an action plan and fresh negotiations with the Japanese consortium.

Millat details recent developments, including meetings at the Foreign Ministry on the 13th, discussions on a revised proposal at the Civil Aviation Authority last Monday and Tuesday, followed by briefings from the Civil Aviation Authority and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) on Wednesday regarding the current financial gap.