The proposed lease agreement with Dubai-based port operator DP World for the New Mooring Container Terminal at Chattogram Port is unlikely to be concluded during the tenure of Bangladesh’s current interim government, according to senior officials.
Chowdhury Ashik Bin Harun, executive chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority, said the negotiations had made progress but were unlikely to reach closure before the national election. Speaking at an event at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka on Saturday, he indicated that discussions would probably be carried forward by the next government.
Ashik said DP World was broadly satisfied with the progress of the talks but had sought additional time to review the draft concession agreement. With only a limited number of working days remaining before the election, he said finalisation within the current administration’s term appeared unlikely. He added that DP World had formally received the draft agreement and would undertake a detailed review, noting that the scale and complexity of such a concession naturally required a longer evaluation period.
He further clarified that the project is being pursued under a government-to-government framework between Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates. Under this arrangement, the Chattogram Port Authority and DP World are the principal contracting parties, while the Public Private Partnership Authority is acting only as a facilitator and does not hold final decision-making authority.
The remarks come amid ongoing protests by port workers opposing the proposed leasing plan. The protests have disrupted operations at Chattogram Port, raising concerns over supply chain delays and broader economic impact. Business leaders have estimated that the work stoppage has already resulted in losses of at least Taka 3,000 crore.
While port authorities have maintained that operations have resumed, shipping agents and port operators have said cargo handling and delivery remain suspended, adding to uncertainty for trade flows and export shipments.
