Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Authority and Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Ashik Chowdhury has stated that no agreement will be signed with UAE-based DP World during the tenure of interim government regarding the lease of Chattogram Port’s New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT).
He made the remarks at a press conference on Sunday at the Foreign Service Academy on Bailey Road in Dhaka, where Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam was also present.
Ashik Chowdhury said the government received a letter from DP World earlier on Sunday, which arrived at the Chief Adviser’s Office in the morning. In the letter, DP World praised the progress of the ongoing negotiations over the lease agreement and expressed satisfaction with the direction of discussions.
The company also stated that it had received and thoroughly reviewed the draft concession agreement, but requested additional time for further evaluation.
Noting that the interim government has only two working days left, Ashik Chowdhury said, “Since DP World has sought more time, the negotiations are likely to continue after the election, beyond the tenure of the current government.”
Responding to questions from journalists, he added, “I believe it can be stated with a high level of certainty that no contract will be signed during this government’s term. Given the limited time, completing the process—including cabinet approval and final signing—would be extremely difficult.”
Ashik Chowdhury said the initiative to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal to DP World began in 2019, while final-stage negotiations started over the past month.
He added that intensive discussions are ongoing across various levels of the government, and that the negotiation process will continue, though more time may be required to complete all procedures.
