In a roundtable organized by BGMEA and the Chittagong Research Initiative on ‘realizing US $50 billion target for the garment sector: the Chittagong mission’, expert suggested that Bangladesh will not be able to emerge as a middle-income country and achieve the US $ 50 billion garment export target without prioritizing development of Chittagong. Hossain Zillur Rahman, a former adviser to caretaker Government said that Chittagong has the growth potential to attain such goal. Opening and widening a second hub for the sector in Chittagong is a must.
Rahman pointed out six obstacles, unfriendly attitude of businesses toward new entrepreneurs, image crisis of the port, unplanned infrastructure, energy crisis, shortage of land and stagnant efficiency of the port, preventing Chittagong from becoming a garment hub. Salehuddin Ahmed, former Governor of Bangladesh Bank said that plans are underway to build alternative ports in Payra and Matarbari, although the Chittagong port still has comparative advantages.
It was also highlighted that Chittagong would remain technically isolated from the capital if connectivity is not properly improved.
Bharat Tex Special Report 2026 
