Prime Minister Tarique Rahman directed officials to prioritize the national interest in all decisions related to the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) at Chattogram Port during a meeting held at the Cabinet Division. The meeting, attended by key officials including Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman, and Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, saw the Prime Minister stressing the importance of safeguarding national interests in any agreements concerning the NCT.
Ashik, addressing reporters, highlighted the Prime Minister’s stance on the NCT, stating that any potential treaty with DP World would only be signed if it served the national interest. He clarified that similar sentiments were expressed during the interim government’s term. The meeting, while providing an overview of NCT operations to the Prime Minister, also included initial guidance from him.
The process of leasing the NCT to a foreign operator began under the Awami League’s administration and continued through the interim government’s tenure. The interim government had aimed to finalize a concession agreement with DP World, a UAE-based company, by December of the previous year. However, progress was hindered by a legal challenge through a writ petition filed in the High Court, questioning the interim government’s procedural legitimacy.
Despite nearing the conclusion of negotiations with DP World under the Yunus-led government, the plan was scrapped on February 8 after a week-long wildcat strike by Chattogram port employees and workers disrupted port activities.